Not just a Monastery

"Ideal environment to live, study and practice Dharma."​
Nalanda Monks with H.E. Ganden Tri Rinpoche

Nalanda Monastery is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), under the spiritual direction of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The Monastery uses FPMT’s education programs and materials, created in a unique lineage of its founder, Lama Yeshe, and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

As each FPMT centre is incorporated individually (is a separate legal entity), the Monastery is responsible for its own governance and finance. As with all FPMT centres, the Monastery follows the FPMT Ethical Policy. Additionally, Nalanda also has it’s own ‘Protection from Abuse Policy’. You can get more information from the director.

Our lineage and teachers

Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of Nalanda and, together with his teacher, Lama Yeshe, founded Nalanda in 1981 as the first Western monastery of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). Geshe Lobsang Jamphel is the current Abbot, while Geshe Gyaltsen and Geshe Losel serve as resident teachers.

Additionally, we are extremely fortunate to welcome other distinguished teachers and high lamas throughout the year.

Ven. Thubten Sherab, our current director, coordinates the day-to-day running of the monastery, while other senior monks take roles, such as study program coordinator, translator, disciplinarian and bookkeeper.

Our Mission Statement

Nalanda provides a supportive environment in the West for monastics of Tibetan Buddhism in the tradition of Lama Tsongkhapa as taught to us by the founders of the FPMT organization (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition), Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche – to study, practice, serve and inspire all sentient beings under the guidance of our Spiritual Director, Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche. Nalanda aims to bring about progress in universal wisdom, altruism and compassion through an example of moral conduct and by upholding the teachings of the Buddha. Nalanda seeks to offer a warm welcome, service or guidance to everyone who interacts with its community.

STRIVING FOR A SPIRITUALLY & PHYSICALLY SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Nalanda Monastery is committed to maintaining and fostering a safe and supportive environment for Buddhist practice. Nalanda is affiliated to FPMT Inc., and applies the FPMT Ethical Policy as a standard of conduct. While on Nalanda property, everybody is asked to follow the FPMT Ethical Policy, that includes:

  • Living according to the principles of the five precepts. This includes no killing, stealing, engaging in sexual misconduct (in the context of Nalanda this means abstaining from sexual conduct completely), lying or taking intoxicants (alcohol, recreational drugs or tobacco).
  • No discrimination, such as on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age or disability.
  • No harassment, such as sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying or retaliation to those who raise concerns.
  • Avoiding gossip, harsh or abusive language.

Nalanda Monastery particularly advises the community that any person in a position of authority: teachers, the director, board members, program coordinators and managers of Nalanda Monastery uphold these principles and demonstrate harmonious and respectful behavior that is safe for all and supportive of Dharma practice. 

To further establish this, there are several Designated Protecting Persons who are ensuring a safe environment:

  • Ven. Thubten Sherab (Michel Henry, Director)
  • Ven. Losang Tenzin (Jacob Andersson, SPC)
  • Catherine Fradet (translator)
  • Benjamin Rolland (Karma Yoga Coordinator)

Should you ever feel the need to have a private conversation about a sensitive topic, please reach out either directly or indirectly to one of the above people.

DOING NOTHING IS NOT AN OPTION

If Nalanda management know or suspect that someone is being treated in a discriminating, harassing manner, or is not respected or is at risk of any kind, we will respond and ensure that the ethical policy is implemented swiftly. Nalanda’s grievance procedure will be followed in these cases. If you suspect someone to be at risk or have a grievance or complaint yourself, the first point of contact is with the director, unless the complaint involves the director, in which case please contact any of the board members. You can request that concerns remain confidential, however it is important to know that Nalanda is committed to protecting the privacy of everyone at the monastery, within the restrictions of French law.

Our location

Nalanda's frontline

Geshe Jamphel
Geshe Jamphel

Current Abbot

Geshe Gyaltsen
Geshe Gyaltsen

Resident Teacher

Geshe Losel
Geshe Losel

Resident Teacher

Ven. Thubten Sherab
Ven. Thubten Sherab

Current Director

Nalanda's Abbots

From 1981 to nowadays
Geshe Jampa Tegchok

Geshe Jampa Tegchok

1981 - 1994

Geshe Jampa Gyatso

Geshe Jampa Gyatso

1994 - 2007

Geshe Losang Jamphel

Geshe Losang Jamphel

2008 - Now

en_GBEN

➡️ Friends of Nalanda (Netherlands) – tax deductible donations.