Monasteries in Nepal
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Gompas, Stupas and Where to Sit a Course
Here is the list of 6 Monasteries in Nepal
1. Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu
Watching over Kathmandu like a guardian angel, the Boudhanath Stupa dominates the skyline with its gargantuan spherical shape. The massive mandala of this magisterial stupa makes it the largest in Nepal and the continent. Situated at a distance of about 11 kilometres from the central region and the northeastern outskirts of the capital city of Kathmandu, the stupa receives many devotees of different religions who bow their heads in humble prayers or come to seek refuge around it.
2. Swayambhunath Temple, Kathmandu
Perched on top of the Semgu Hill located in the outskirts to the west of the Kathmandu Valley, this temple is often considered to be one of the crowning glories of the country’s architectural skills. The Swayambhu Temple is one of the most captivating of all the religious shrines in the city of Kathmandu and for good reason. Its colossal white dome, crowned by a scintillating spire, gives it a regal appearance which draws people to it on a daily basis.
3. Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu
Located on the Kopan Hills, on the fringes of Kathmandu, Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery established between the late 1960s and early 1970s by the founders of the Foundation of the Preservation of the Mahayana (FPMT). It is a well-known tourist attraction and draws people for the view of the Kathmandu Valley and the tranquil atmosphere, but it is mainly for those who are interested in learning Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism.
4. Lumbini, Nepal - Birthplace of buddha
Known For : World Peace Pagoda Lumbini Maya Devi Temple Bodhi Tree, Lumbini
A serene pilgrimage site located close to the Indian border, Lumbini is placed in Nepal's Rupandehi District. An abode of Buddhism, the entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stupas and monasteries lining the entirety of Lumbini. This is one of the foremost sites of a Buddhist pilgrimage - people come here from all over the world to study scriptures, learn more about this religion of peace, contemplate and refresh their hearts and souls. Lumbini is the place to be if you want to reassess your life, find inner peace and discover yourself.
Best Time: April to May
5. White Monastery, Kathmandu
White Monastery or Seto Gomba, also known as Amitabha Monastery, is a Buddhist Monastery in Nepal, offering a mix of religious importance and natural anesthetic. The vivid terrain and the lush green landscape of the surrounding make the sunset and sunrise here, a treat to watch. Visitors can observe the whole of the Kathmandu Valley from this place. It is properly called Seto Gumba, or Druk Amitabha Mountain, and it is a Drukpa Kagyu nunnery rather than a monastery, built up the side of Nagarjun hill north-west of the city. The terraces give one of the widest views over the Kathmandu Valley, and the site closes in the early afternoon, so go in the morning.
6. Shechen Monastery
A part of the Nyingma monasteries, Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling was founded by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche in Nepal after it was destroyed in Tibet in the 1950s. Although some parts of the monastery were destroyed in the devastating 2015 earthquake, restoration work is ongoing. Shechen houses over 150 statues, and one of the largest Tibetan libraries, apart from being home to more than 500 monks and students. Shechen Tennyi Dargyeling sits just north of the Boudha stupa and belongs to the Nyingma school, re-established in Nepal by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche after the original in Tibet was destroyed. The main hall is covered in murals painted by its own monks, the morning puja is open to visitors who sit quietly at the back, and there is a guest house and a clinic attached.
Boudha is the centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Nepal, and almost everything on this list sits within a few kilometres of it. The stupa itself is ringed by monasteries of every school, Shechen among them, and the circuit of the stupa at dusk with the pilgrims is the single best hour to be there. Kopan, on the hill above Boudha, is the one most visitors actually stay at, running introductory courses and month-long retreats that book out well ahead. Swayambhunath is older than all of it and sits on its own hill west of the city. Seto Gumba, up on Nagarjun, is a Drukpa nunnery with the widest valley view of the lot. Visiting is straightforward if you follow the basics: walk clockwise around stupas and shrines, take shoes off before entering a hall, sit at the back and stay quiet during puja, and ask before photographing monks. See also temples in Nepal, temples in Lumbini and day trips from Kathmandu.
This post was published by Muhammed Salih
FAQs on Monasteries in Nepal
Can visitors stay at a monastery in Nepal?
Some take guests. Kopan Monastery above Boudha is the best known, running introductory Buddhism courses and longer retreats with accommodation included, and Shechen has a guest house. Both need booking in advance, particularly for the popular November course at Kopan.
What is the difference between a monastery and a stupa?
A stupa is a monument, a solid dome built over relics, and is walked around rather than entered. A monastery, or gompa, is a working residence with a prayer hall inside. Boudhanath and Swayambhunath are stupas surrounded by monasteries, which is why they appear on lists of both.
How should you behave inside a Nepali monastery?
Walk clockwise around stupas, shrines and prayer wheels. Remove shoes and hats before entering a hall, keep your voice down, and never point the soles of your feet at an altar or a monk. Photography is usually allowed outside and often not inside, so ask first.
When is the best time to visit?
Early morning, for the puja, and dusk, when local Tibetan families walk the Boudha circuit and butter lamps are lit. For the calendar, Losar in February or March and Buddha Jayanti in May are the big observances, both busy and both worth seeing.
Is there an entry fee?
Boudhanath and Swayambhunath both charge foreign visitors a heritage-site fee at the entrance. Individual monasteries generally do not, though donation boxes are there and are the usual way to contribute. Courses and retreats are charged separately.
Are these monasteries reachable without a car?
Yes. Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Shechen are all short taxi rides from central Kathmandu and are on local bus routes. Kopan is a twenty-minute climb or a taxi from Boudha, and Seto Gumba is further out on Nagarjun hill and is easiest by taxi.
