Kopan Monastery, on a hill overlooking Boudhanath, is one of the foremost Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Nepal and a major international centre for Vajrayana Buddhist study. It is associated with the Gelug tradition and was established in the 1970s by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, who began offering meditation courses to Western seekers. Those courses — in basic Buddhist philosophy and meditation — continue today and draw students from across the world.
The monastery grounds are peaceful and open to visitors outside of teaching periods. Walking up from Boudhanath in the early morning, passing through the small farm and garden on the hillside, gives views over the valley. There is a gompa, a library, and a rooftop terrace that looks out across Kathmandu toward the hills. Day visitors are welcome; residential study courses require advance booking.