Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Part 3 of 3

Perched on a hilltop, Kopan Monastery commands a panoramic view of the town of Boudha below and the spectacular Himalayan mountain range. In Kathmandu the mountains to me were disappointingly very distant but here they loomed large. The long, long trudge up was worth it just for this.

Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Part 2 of 3

Started by a few Tibetan lamas in the early 70s, the Kopan Monastery today is a world-renowned instituttion for the study of Buddhist philosophy and meditation. It offers residential courses, and students come from all over the world.

I took about an hour to tour the complex. I met some visitors from Singapore, In fact, a monk told me Singapore is one of their most committed financial supporters.

To my surprise, Kopan Monastery is well-landscaped and well-maintained.

Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Part 1 of 3

With its steady stream of visitors, it's easy to see why the Kopan Monastery in the Kathmandu valley is popular, Perched on a hilltop with the spectacular Himlayan mountain range as a backdrop, its location is ideal for quiet contemplation and study.

Unless you have your own transport arrangement, it's a steady one and the half

uphill trek from the town of Boudhanath. Frankly, I nearly gave up what with the rain and a muddy path to contend with.