(15044_pr.jpg) Lama Yeshe on the roof acting as foreman and supervising the construction of Kopan, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15138_ng.psd) The construction of Kopan, first floor, rear view, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15139_ng.psd) The construction of Kopan, first floor, rear view, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15140_ng.tif) The construction of Kopan, second floor in progress, rear view, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15141_ng.psd) The construction of Kopan, second floor in progress, rear view, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15144_ng.psd) The construction of Kopan, second floor complete, rear view, 1972. Students and workers gather by the dining tent. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15145_ng.psd) Peter Kedge, an early student of the Lamas, on the front steps of Kopan, 1972. Peter would later ordain and become a very active member of the Lamas' growing Sangha.
(15146_ng.psd) Philippe Camus, an early student of the Lamas, at Kopan Monastery, 1972. Philipe was instrumental in helping fund early building projects at Kopan and Lawudo Retreat Centre.
(15166_sl.tif) Front view of Kopan, 1972. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15167_sl.psd) Front view of Kopan, 1972, with students on the steps. Kopan Monastery, built in Nepal, is the first major teaching center founded by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
(15168_sl.psd) The front gate at Kopan showing Steve's Tower on the right. Steve Malasky, an American student, built a Tibetan tower at one end of the Kopan land which came to be known as "Steve's Tower".
(15173_pr.psd) Zina Rachevsky absorbed in her studies, 1972. Zina was an eccentric Russian-American socialite, the child of a Russian expat father and a German-Jewish mother, who became the Lamas' first Western student in 1966, and who insisted that the Lamas start to teach courses on Buddhism for Westerners. She helped the Lamas found what would later come to be known as Kopan Monastery in Nepal. (Photo used with permission of the estate of Zina Rachevsky.)
(15089_ng.psd) Second Kopan Meditation Course, spring of 1972. Included in the photo from the left are Ann McNeil (Anila Ann), Mark Shaneman (Jhampa Zangpo), Steve Malasky, Gen Wangyal, Age Delbanco (Babaji), Peter Kedge, Geshe Thubten Tashi (seated), Losang Nyima.
(15147_ng.psd) Second Kopan Meditation Course, spring of 1972. Included in the photo from the left are Losang Nyima, Geshe Thubten Tashi (seated), Mark Shaneman (Jhampa Zangpo), Gen Wangyal.
(15148_ng.psd) Ann McNeil (Anila Ann) under a tree on "astrologer's hill", Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 1972. Anila Ann was an early student of the Lamas and one of the first western women to ordain as a nun.
Lama Zopa posing with the first five MEC students, 1972
Description
(15150_ng.psd) Lama Zopa Rinpoche posing with the first five novice monks admitted to the Mount Everest Center for Buddhist Studies (MEC), the school founded at Lawudo Retreat Centre, Nepal, 1972.
(15174_pr.psd) At the Lawudo Lama's cave, Nepal, 1972. From the left to right: unknown monk, Lama Zopa, Massimo Corona, Lama Yeshe, Jhampa Zangpo, with two new Mount Everest Centre novice monks.
(15155_ng.psd) Raising the prayer flag pole at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 1972. In attendance are some Mount Everest Center monks and students from the third Kopan course. Nick Ribush, an early student of the Lamas, is at the front right.
Installing portrait of HH Dalai Lama, Kopan Gompa, 1972
Description
(15158_ng.psd) Mount Everest Center activities at Kopan Monastery, 1972: inviting the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama into the Kopan Gompa for the first time. Losang Nyima is holding the portrait and Lama Zopa Rinpoche is walking in front of him.
Installing portrait of HH Dalai Lama, Kopan Gompa, 1972
Description
(15159_ng.psd) 1972, installing the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Kopan Gompa. Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa with other monks offering prayers.
Installing portrait of HH Dalai Lama, Kopan Gompa, 1972
Description
(15160_ng.psd) Mount Everest Center at Kpoan Monastery, 1972: installing the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Kopan Gompa. Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa with other monks offering prayers.
(15175_pr.psd) Zina Rachevsky walking uphill to the Kopan Monastery, 1972. Zina was an eccentric Russian-American socialite, the child of a Russian expat father and a German-Jewish mother, who became the Lamas' first Western student in 1966, and who insisted that the Lamas start to teach courses on Buddhism for Westerners. She helped the Lamas found what would later come to be known as Kopan Monastery in Nepal. (Photo used with permission of the estate of Zina Rachevsky.)
(15176_pr.psd) Trulshik Rinpoche, whom Zina Rachevsky had met on several occasions, gave permission for her to come to his monastery (Thubten Choling, in the lower Solu region of Solu Khumbu near Junbesi, Nepal) to do intensive retreat in 1972. (Photo used with permission of the estate of Zina Rachevsky.)
(15163_ng-6.psd) Some of those sitting in the front row include: Carol Corona, Massimo Corona, Nick Ribush, Claudio Cipullo, Steve (Malasky) Pearl, Piero Cerri, Lolly Smith, David Borrie, Darlene Darata, Age Delbanco (Babaji), Paula deWys. Some of those standing include: Ngawang Khedup (Ron Brooks), Chris Vautier, Losang Nyima, Losang Phagpa (the cook), Anila Ann McNeil, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Jamyang Wangmo (Helly Pelaez, Jampa Chökyi), Shan Cooper, Luca Corona, Nicole Kedge (Couture), Ani Zamba (Suzanne Lee), Marcel Bertels, Dieter Gewissler, Barbara Vautier, Peter Kedge.
(18756_pr-3.jpg) Third Kopan Meditation course, fall, 1972. Photo includes Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Piero Cerri, Steve Malasky (Steve Pearl), Nick Ribush, and Luca Corona.
