About Us

The Chandrakirti Centre is a Tibetan Buddhist study and meditation centre, situated on a beautiful 5 acre property in the rolling hills of the Nelson Countryside. The Centre is a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a world-wide network of over 120 centres under the guidance of renowned Tibetan master, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Inspired by the visits to Nelson of Lama Zopa and his Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1996 and 2002, the centre aims to promote the wisdom, compassion and love that is at the core of Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and practice.

The Centre is fortunate to host important Buddhist teachers from around the world, and is motivated by a vision of developing the facilities and environment that will help as many people as possible to overcome suffering and achieve wisdom and happiness.

Our centre is named after the great Indian scholar Chandrakirti, a student of Nagarjuna's and Nalanda University's most famous Abbot. In the 6th century Chandrakirti wrote the Madhyamikavattara, "The Entrance Into the Middle Way" a root text for the Tibetan tradition of Buddhism.

Nalanda Hall

Long Life Stupa

What do we offer?

We provide a range of courses from beginner’s meditation and introductory talks to intermediate and advanced philosophical studies. We regularly invite visiting teachers from around the world, both Tibetan and Western, to teach and guide us in practises and retreats. Teachings are complemented by regular group practice sessions, solo retreats and social activities.

We also provide a peaceful environment with a Long Life Stupa, a stunningly located meditation hall, beautiful gardens, a small shop, library and a community of practitioners. Our resident teacher is Venerable Tenzin Tsapel, a Buddhist nun of 22 years, who studied and taught at Chenrezig Institue for 10 years and completed the Basic Studies program. Venerable Tsapel runs regular weekly meditation classes in Nelson City, Motueka and Golden Bay, as well as leading various retreats and private interviews.

Buddhism offers a rich array of methods for overcoming disturbing emotions, promoting health and healing and leading a life of contentment and simplicity.

To find out more we welcome you to join our Thursday evening meditation classes, discussion groups and Medicine Buddha prayers on Tuesday afternoons, or simply come and visit Nalanda Hall which is open to the public during daylight hours, or circumambulate the Stupa for blessings.

Tara Project

We have the special project of actualising the Twenty One Tara statues and turning Nalanda Hall into a Tara Gompa.

The statues are being made in Nepal and will be partly gold leafed, very exquisite.

Each of the 21 Tara statues is costing $7000NZ to make and ship to New Zealand, and we are offering you the opportunity to sponsor one of these beautiful statues, or make an offering towards the making of these Holy Objects.

Tara is the energy of swift accomplishment and success in all ones virtuous works.

Tara Statue sponsors of $7000 will have their name engraved under their statue for eternal blessings and receive special Tara souvenirs and centre benefits, as well as skies of merit.

Please go to Donations now to make your Tara Statue Donation.

“Holy Objects make it unbelievably easy for us to create the causes of merit and to purify the obstacles for happiness, peace and realizations.” Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche

Details of our special programs and visiting teachers are mailed out regularly in the Chandrakirti Newsletter and posted on our website www.chandrakirti.co.nz

Or to join our email news list send us a note to

Ways you can support the Chandrakirti Meditation Centre

For further information about our Spiritual Director Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT network of Buddhist Centres please visit www.fpmt.org

Unique among all forms of sacred architecture, the stupa is the quintessential symbol of enlightenment, and the primordial sacred structure for all Buddhist traditions. Blessed by mantras and prayers that represent the body, speech and mind of the Buddha, the Chandrakirti Long Life Stupa is empowered by the relics of holy beings and filled with many statues and paintings. The Stupa was consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 29 May 2002.

Holy objects such as stupas create the cause of success and happiness. Because holy objects exist, sentient being make offerings to them. This helps them to create the causes of happiness and this is how they experience happiness up to the highest happpiness of enlightenment.".........Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Finding Us

Please come and visit Nalanda Hall and the Stupa anytime.