Mount Everest School, Kopan Monastery
Where Nepal
Founder and Spiritual Lead Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lineage Gelug
Contact
Phone:+977-1-4821268
Website: http://kopanmonastery.com/about-kopan/mount-everest-school
Address: P.O. Box 817, Kathmandu, Nepal
About
Founded in 1971 by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. There are 270 monks enrolled in the school ranging in age from 7 to 25. Classes are held from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm, during which time the monks follow a very busy schedule of classes, activities and homework. The school year has three terms, and exams are held on all subjects each term.
In addition to the normal school subjects the monks spend three hours every day memorizing prayers and pujas, or the texts for their philosophy class.
Three languages are taught at the school. Tibetan is studied in much depth, with emphasis on grammar and writing, as this is the language of their religious studies. All Buddhist texts, be they religious prayers or philosophy, are studied in Tibetan. Nepali, being the main local language, and English, the language of the modern world receive intensive attention as well.
Great emphasis is being put on extracurricular activities such as quiz events, drama classes, essay competitions, elocution and a student debating club in three languages. Every second Sunday is set aside for these activities. Debate in English has become the latest challenge, while the younger monks engage in spelling bees, general knowledge quiz and similar activities. Debate competitions with other schools are now part of the Sunday activities.
Other activities: thangka painting; excursions; physical exercise; fire safety training.