My Journey with Buddhism and the Dharma wisdom

More than seven years ago, I discovered Buddhism during a turbulent period that left me searching for meaning. When I stumbled upon Buddha’s wisdom, particularly the Four Noble Truths, it resonated deeply, offering a lifeline through its teachings on suffering and liberation. Though I understood little at the time, this encounter with the Dharma—the truth and path of the Buddha’s teachings—ignited a spark that guided me forward. It led me to explore Zen Buddhism at a school in Bristol and, years later, eventually, to a transformative month-long retreat at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, where I immersed myself in Tibetan Buddhist practices, meditation, pujas, and Buddhist psychology. This blog post traces my personal path, the historical legacy of Kopan, and how the Dharma continues to shape my life.

A Personal Path to Buddhism and Zen in Bristol

In 2017, I was grappling with emotional chaos and uncertainty in my life. A blog post just like this guided me to the Four Noble Truths, and its message—that suffering could be understood and transcended—felt like a revelation. The Dharma spoke to my circumstances, offering hope and a framework to navigate life’s challenges. I began meditating sporadically, drawn to the simplicity of mindfulness, though my understanding was shallow. This initial connection planted a seed, urging me to explore further.

Later I joined the Bristol Zen Centre, a small, welcoming community rooted in the Soto Zen tradition, part of the International Zen Association (IZAUK). Zen, derived from the Sanskrit dhyana (meditation), emphasizes zazen—sitting meditation—to awaken one’s true nature. At the center, I learned to “just sit,” letting thoughts pass without striving for achievement. The practice of zazen echoed the mindfulness that first helped me cope, and its directness—focusing on the present without intellectualizing—felt like a natural evolution of my path. This is where I discovered a simple book by Taisen Deshimaru. The Ring of the Way: Testament of a Zen Master. His philosophies grew on me in the literal sense. “Returning to inner silence” resonated with my need for clarity. It became my lived practice, not just a philosophy.

Yet, I yearned for a deeper immersion in Buddhist traditions. This longing through years drew me to Kopan Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist center, to explore the Dharma through a different lens. My time in the Bodhi Zendo community had prepared me for disciplined practice, but Kopan offered a vibrant, ritual-rich experience that complemented my Zen training.

The Historical Roots of Kopan Monastery

Kopan Monastery, perched on a hill under the same name, KOPAN, near Kathmandu, is a cornerstone of Tibetan Buddhism’s Gelug tradition. Founded in 1969 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche, it was established during the exile of Tibetan Buddhists after the 1959 Chinese occupation of Tibet. Lama Yeshe envisioned Kopan as a bridge for Western seekers, blending rigorous practice with accessibility. Starting with a small group, it grew into a global hub under the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). The main gompa, adorned with murals and statues, has hosted luminaries like the Dalai Lama, and its sister nunnery, Khachoe Ghakyil Ling, reflects its inclusive spirit. This historical legacy made my stay feel like a link to a centuries-old tradition, enriching my personal journey with the Dharma.

A Sanctuary of the Dharma

Arriving at Kopan, I was enveloped by tranquility—prayer flags fluttered, and monks’ chants echoed. The monastery’s serene setting felt like an extension of the inner silence I’d cultivated inside via Zen practices. My intention was to deepen my connection to the Dharma through Tibetan practices, building on the Zen foundation I’d established. Kopan’s vibrant community and structured retreat offered a new way to engage with the truth and path I’d first encountered seven years ago.

Daily Meditation: Cultivating Inner Stillness

Mornings at Kopan began with meditation in the main gompa, surrounded by thangkas and Buddha statues. Unlike the minimalist zazen settings, these sessions included guided practices like mindfulness of breath, loving-kindness (metta), and compassion. Yet, the essence—observing the mind without attachment—felt familiar. The Dharma as a path to liberation shone through, connecting my early mindfulness experiments to this refined practice.

Pujas in the Main Gompa: A Symphony of Devotion

Participating in pujas was a vivid contrast to Zen’s simplicity. The gompa buzzed with mantras, drums, and Tibetan horns as monks offered prayers for compassion and wisdom. The Tara Puja, honoring the bodhisattva of compassion, stirred memories of my early meditations on kindness and forgiveness that healed my heart. Though I didn’t understand every chant, the collective devotion embodied the Dharma as universal truth, transcending language. This ritualistic expression complemented the stark directness of Zen, enriching my practice.

Studying Tibetan Buddhist Traditions

Kopan’s study program explored the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Bodhicitta—the aspiration to enlighten all beings. These teachings built on the Dharma that first resonated with me, now framed in the Tibetan tradition. Texts like The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva echoed Zen’s emphasis on compassion, though with more doctrinal depth. Instructors encouraged debates, a contrast to Zen’s wordless insight, yet both approaches illuminated impermanence (anicca). This concept reminded me how transient my past struggles were, urging intentional living.

Exploring Buddhist Psychology

Buddhist psychology at Kopan offered a framework to understand the mind, expanding the Dharma as a tool for transformation. Studying the “six root delusions” (ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride, doubt, and wrong views) mirrored my early efforts to untangle emotions. Teachings on interdependence reframed past challenges as growth opportunities, a perspective I’d begun to grasp in the early days of my introduction to Buddhism. Journaling and discussions helped me apply these insights, like seeing anger’s fleeting nature—a skill rooted in the Dharma I’d embraced years ago.

Simplicity and Connection

Living in community Kopan’s simple lifestyle—structured, disciplined days; modest accommodations; silent vegetarian meals—aligned with Zen’s emphasis on mindfulness in daily life. The community of seekers felt like sangha, united by the Dharma. Conversations in the garden deepened my understanding, while the monks’ humor reminded me not to be so serious and that spirituality could be joyful, a lesson from my early Buddhist encounters. This sense of belonging is healing in the process of the old wounds, reinforcing the Dharma as a communal path.

Challenges and Growth

The retreat tested me—long meditation sessions strained my body, and silent retreats surfaced old patterns and habits that I thought I had dealt with. These challenges echoed the resilience I’d built through Zen’s disciplined zazen. Kopan’s teachers urged to view discomfort as a teacher and deal with the problems right away, with no postponing. A teaching on patience revealed my tendency to rush, a habit I’d noticed. Kopan’s slow pace taught me to savor the moment, embodying the Dharma as presence.

Carrying the Dharma Forward

Leaving Kopan, I felt gratitude and bittersweetness. The monastery deepened the Dharma that had guided me since 2017, blending Zen’s directness with Tibetan richness. Returning here most likely, there is still so much to learn, but for now I know how to integrate these teachings into my daily life. Compassion and interdependence. The Dharma—as truth, path, and practice—remains my anchor, carried in the stillness of zazen and the warmth of Kopan’s community.

Final Thoughts

My path, from a chance encounter with Buddhism in 2017 to the quiet zazen of Bristol’s Zen Centre and the sacred halls of Kopan Monastery, has been a testament to the Dharma’s transformative power. The simplicity of Zen taught me presence, while Kopan’s rituals and teachings offered depth and compassion, together shaping my understanding of the Buddha’s wisdom. Yet, I know my journey is far from complete. The Dharma continues to call, and I’m drawn to learn more, likely retreating next at Tushita Dharma Center in India to deepen my practice. Whether you’re captivated by Zen’s silence or Tibetan vibrancy, the Dharma offers a path for all. I encourage you to explore it—perhaps at Zen Centre India Bodhi Zendo, Kopan, or Tushita.

May all beings find peace and liberation.

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