Nalanda Monastery

Nalanda Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Labastide-Saint-Georges located in the Tarn region of southern France, with buildings dedicated to meditation, residential spaces, and study rooms arranged across the grounds. The complex feels open and sits peacefully within its rural setting.

The monastery was founded in 1981 by Tibetan Buddhist teachers and carries on the tradition of an ancient Indian Buddhist center. The name Nalanda references this historical connection to early Buddhist scholarship.

The monastery serves as a meeting place where people from around the world gather to meditate and study Buddhist texts together. Daily life here follows rituals and a measured pace that visitors can directly experience when walking the grounds.

Visitors should explore the grounds slowly, as the buildings and gardens invite lingering and allow you to absorb the atmosphere more fully. Joining a guided tour helps explain the purpose of different spaces throughout the compound.

The monastery regularly organizes meetings between scientists and Buddhist practitioners to explore connections between modern knowledge and ancient teachings. These exchanges happen on the grounds and show an unusual dialogue between two very different traditions of learning.

Location: Labastide-Saint-Georges

Inception: 1981

Founders: Thubten Yeshe, Thubten Zopa Rinpoche

Website: http://nalanda-monastery.org

GPS coordinates: 43.69014,1.84909

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:07