Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal

Monasteries have a huge influence on the lifestyle and culture of people, especially in the Buddhist communities. The Buddhist Monasteries in the Kathmandu valley are a wonderful place to visit to explore the life of monks and the best-preserved Buddhist practices. 

Many people around the world visit Nepal to stay and explore the monasteries while interacting with the monks. The lifestyle, their rituals, even the get up of monks are the wonderful part to witness in the monasteries of Nepal. Some of the popular monasteries in Kathmandu valley are provided here. 

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest structure’s stupas in the world. It is also a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It is the central hub of Buddhism in Nepal and is surrounded by hundreds of monasteries. Lichchavi rulers renovated the staple during the 8th century, which was made in the shape of a Mandala.

On each side, there are a pair of eyes of Buddha, symbolizing awareness and peace. An ornamental cloth- canopy has 13 stages.

At the ground level of Boudhanath Stupa, there is a wall of 147 inches and 108 images of meditational Buddha inset behind the copper prayer wheels.  As a daily ritual, many people visit here to walk around three times or more, reciting the mantra ‘Om mani Padme hum’. This is the fascinating and spiritual area with Budhha’s mantras. There are some monasteries and nunneries around the Boudhanath stupa.

The Sechen monastery, Khawalung monastery, Kopan Monastery, Thrangu Monastery, Dilayak Monastery, Pullahari Monastery and retreat centre, Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery, Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery etc are some of the popular monasteries around the Boudhanath Stupa.

Kopan Monastery

It is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery situated in Kathmandu. Kopan Monastery is a place for Buddhism study, retreat, mediation and practice in a peaceful and calm environment. Some studies regarding arts, culture and tradition, Thangka paintings etc, offered here for interested people.

It is a great place in the Kathmandu valley to indulge in a peaceful and natural environment. The great views of the Hilly regions can be seen from this place. If you want to stay, you can join the monks at this monastery.

Sechen Monastery

Sechen monastery is also situated in Kathmandu valley, near the Boudhanath Stupa. It is dedicated to flourishing Buddhist spiritual and cultural practices. Mainly, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was considered to be a milestone in Tibetan Buddhism.

Rinpoche is also a great luminary in Tibetan Buddhism. This monastery is working for spiritual development and cultural preservation. The Monastery is also a school where many students all over the world come to participate in the courses.

Khawalung monastery

Khawaling Monastery was founded by Jigme Dorje Rinpoche. Jigme Dorje Rinpoche is also a spiritual heir of Yogi Maste Choying Rinpoche. It was inaugurated in 2005. This institutional monastery is aimed to preserve, uphold, and disseminate the general Buddhist teachings, particularly the tradition of Nyingmapa, it is also known as one of four major sects of Vajrayana Buddhism.

The treasure teachings of H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche are taught at this Monastery. The monastery includes training school and elementary school. Besides offering religious education in basic and advanced courses, the monastery provides free food, clothing and medical expenses for all the Monks.

Thrangu Monastery

Thrangu Monastery is located nearby the Boudhanath stupa. It was founded by Thrangu Rinpoche in 1979. This monastery is also a major pilgrimage site around Boudhanath for Buddhists. This Monastery is also known as Thrangu Tashi Choling.

It accommodates many monks who continuously come here to join the monastery. Monks and students from Tibet, India and Bhutan are here to practice and learn Buddhism. The study and practice of Buddhism philosophy and rituals, reading and writing in Tibetan as well as English and many other rites are taught at this Monastery.

Tharlam monastery

Tharlam Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of the Shakya sect in the Boudhanath area. It was founded in 1436 by Ga Rabjampa Kunga Yeshe in Kham, Eastern Tibet. The Chinese communists’ movement in 1959, destroyed this monastery. Later in 1981, it was rebuilt in Boudhanath, Kathmandu by Dezhung Rinpoche. It also has space for meditation and retreat.

Pullahari Monastery

Pullahari monastery was founded in March 1992. It also works as the retreat centre. It is also located nearby Boudhanath. The annual free cataract clinic and Rigpe Dorje program are the main aspects of this monastery.

The sacred body of the third Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche was brought back to this place and enshrined in a golden stupa at this monastery. This golden stupa is the main reverence of Pullahari Monastery.

Pranidhipurna Mahavihar

Pranidhipurna Mahavihar is a Theravada Buddhist Monastery. The monastery is in Balambu, Kathmandu. It is also considered to be the key base of Theravada Buddhism in Nepal in the decade of 1940s. It is located around 8 Km west of the central part of Kathmandu.

This monastery is also known as Balambu Bihar. Balambu Bihar contains a number of resident monks and nuns and is run by the abbot of Bihar. This place is also an important centre of Buddhist study.

The religious services and retreat, dharma classes and free health camps are organized at Pranidhipurna Mahavihar. It also organizes life cycle ceremonies for boys and girls and operates a home for senior citizens as well.

Amitabha Monastery

Amitabha Monastery is situated in the southern part of Kathmandu valley on the top of Druk Amitabha Mountain. It is also known as Seto Gumba. It works as a centre of spiritual practice and humanitarian causes. The monastery has a multipurpose hall that seats up to 2000 people, a library, an administration office for Drukpa Lineage and a medical clinic.

Drukpa Lineage is a nunnery, a residence of more than 300 nuns. It has its own vegetable gardens to get food and also works as a refuge for animals. The natural settlement and beautiful views also made it a wonderful place. One can see the astounding sunset and sunrise views from this monastery.

Namobuddha Monastery

Namo Buddha is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site of Nepal, and one of the three main stupas of the Kathmandu valley. It is situated about 40 km to the south-east of Kathmandu city. It is known by Tibetans as Takmo Lu Jin, whose literal meaning is “Tigress Body Generosity”.  The stupa was built on the site where a young prince (in some versions, the Buddha himself) encountered a tigress close to starvation and unable to feed her own cubs.

With compassion, the prince Mahasattva allowed the tigress to consume him and thereby feed her cubs. This stupa stands on the slopes of Gandha Malla hill. According to some legends, this is the actual place where Buddha gave his body. The natural beauty here, views around are wonderful. Many people come here to visit Buddha’s land every year. Many monks are here practising Buddhism.

Jamacho Gumba

Jamacho Gumba is also a popular name for Hiking in Kathmandu valley. This Gumba is situated in Nagarjun, Raniban also known as Nagarjun Forest Reserve. Jamacho Gumba is a sacred destination for Buddhists.

This place is also popular for recreational and religious purposes. In the northwestern part of Kathmandu valley, it offers a unique hiking experience with astounding scenery.

Nagi Gumba

Nagi Gumba is a monastery, situated in Shivpuri. It is also a popular place for day hiking around Kathmandu valley. It is exclusively run by Nuns and is a beautiful place to view the entire scenery of Kathmandu Valley.

At this monastery, about 200 nuns practice Buddhism and many foreigners also attend here for meditation. In a natural environment, the Buddhism philosophy and wonderful sceneries made it a perfect place.

Neydo Tashi Choling Monastery

This monastery is located in the southwest corner of the Kathmandu valley, near Pharping. This monastery is also close to the Asura Cave. Asura Cave is believed to be the place where Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche meditated and achieved the highest realization.

This monastery is home to almost 200 Monks, who stay and study here and practice Buddhism. Other people can also indulge themselves at this place by paying a certain amount to understand the lifestyle of Monks and to meditate and study Buddhism.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath temple is one of the holiest Buddhist Chaityas in Nepal, situated in the western part of the Kathmandu valley. This is the best place to see the entire city, as it is located atop the hill. It comprises architectural values as well, the stupa consists of a dome at its base above which, a cubical structure painted with eyes of Buddha observing all directions is situated.

The dome represents the entire world, eyes symbolizing wisdom and compassion, curly signals symbolizing the nose represents the unity of all things in the world. This is the must-visit place for Buddhism enthusiasts. Some of the monasteries situated around the Swayambhunath temple are Karma Raja Maha Vihar, Dongchu old Monastery, Benchen Monastery etc.

Ka-Nying Monastery

It is the Tibetan Buddhist monastery on the outskirts of Kathmandu valley. Because of the ties between two Kagyu and Nyingma schools, it is known as Ka-Nying Monastery. This monastery is also popular as Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling. The Shedrub ling stands for a place to learn and practice. 

It was established in 1974 as per the wish of the 16th Karmapa, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. It was then inaugurated in 1976 by then King Birendra. Gyalwang Karmapa had led the consecration ceremonies and as of today the oldest son of Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche, Kyabgon Phakchok Rinpoche serves as the master of rituals in this monastery.

The Ka-Nying Monastery has several affiliated institutions, monasteries, nunneries and retreat centres in the Himalayas of Nepal and Tibet. This monastery also organizes various courses and projects in European, American, and Asian countries.

Related Trip: Nepal Buddhist Cultural Tour

Mustang region is an excellent place to explore the mind-blowing natural beauty in the mountains of Nepal. The semi-arid landscapes and astounding Himalayan views are the major attributes of this place.

Many people visit Mustang every year and explore the diverse artefacts and cultural monuments in this region. There are several monasteries to explore in this region. 

Chhairo Gompa, Jomsom

Chhairo Gompa is situated in the upper Mustang region of Nepal. It was the first monastery of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism in the Mustang region. It was established in the 16th century.

The name Chhairo Monastery and the village is believed to have originated from Chhahara. Chhahara is the Nepali translation of waterfalls. The founder of this monastery Chhawang Thinlen is believed to have been a Thak resident and migrated from Kyirong Monastery.

Some people also believe that Chhawang Thielen was the younger of two brothers and migrated to Chhairo from Dhakartas Pandrasaya Khola, which is situated in the Rasuwa district. The village of mustang and the Gompa are located in the ancient salt trade route between Nepal and Tibet.

The shrine of Padmasambhava is also established at Chhairo Gompa. This monastery has a complex and rooms for monks, visitors, pilgrims and their horses as well.

Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. UNESCO listed Lumbini as a world heritage site which is one of the holiest and significant pilgrimage sites of Nepal. Lumbini is in the Kapilvastu district of Nepal.

It consists of numerous temples, stupas, peace signs and remarks. (Mayadevi Temple, Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa, Bodhi tree and pond, Marker stone, purportedly the exact birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Eternal peace flame, Burmese Lokamani Cula Pagoda, Chinese Maitreya Temple, Kapilvastu Elephant Idol, Shanti stupa, Shanti Gumba, Myanmar golden temple).

The Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in Lumbini, situated in the Terai (Plains) southern part of Nepal. There is an inscription found by the Maurya emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, whose pillar is also known as the Ashoka Pillar.

The Stupas, Monasteries and other archaeological remains of ancient monasteries situated therefrom 3rd century BC to 15th century AD provide crucial evidence about the nature of Buddhism and pilgrimage centres from the early centuries. Lumbini is one of the most important holy sites for Buddhists in Nepal.

Everest region is a site of greatest importance in the history of the earth. Mount Everest is the highest mountain on the planet and many people visit the Everest region to fulfil their craving to witness the beauty of Mount Everest in front of their focal area.

Apart from the impeccable natural beauty of the Everest region, the spiritual importance in the land of the Himalayas is gaining equal significance in human mankind. So many people visit the Everest region to meditate and explore the monasteries. There are several monasteries in the Everest region that are popular for their wonderful cultural practices, spiritual significance and amazing natural atmosphere.

Tengboche Monastery

Tengboche monastery is the popular name among the trekkers in Nepal. This monastery of Nepal is also known as Dawa Choling Gompa. Tengboche is one of the popular monasteries situated in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is amidst the Sagarmatha National Park and offers stunning views of the renowned Himalayas Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and Thamserku.

This is a sacred site of Guru Rinpoche, who is also a crucial part of Tibetan Buddhism. It also holds major religious and cultural significance. People celebrate the colourful Mani Rimdu Festival in this monastery, which falls in October. Mani Rimdu festival is the culmination of Buddhist celebration with religious gatherings, songs, dances, and enchantments of legends.

There are several other monasteries in the Everest Region. The classic Everest trek revolves around the monasteries while taking you to the world’s highest peak. The Lukla Monastery, Namche Monastery, Mende Monastery, Thamo Monastery, Thame Monastery, Khumjung Monastery, Pangboche Monastery, Kyaroke Monastery, Trulsik Rinpoche, and Chiwong Monastery etc. are the major monasteries along the trail.

Some of the monasteries in Nepal offer you a night stay, meditation and ancient therapy inside their property. Altitude Himalaya could provide you with a customized travel plan for your visit to these monasteries. You can contact us anytime for a trip to these monasteries in Nepal.