User:Medha0110/Osho Tapoban

Osho tapoban is a commune and a forest retreat center located in the out skirts of Kathmandu, on the way to Kakani, 12 km from the Tribhuvan International Airport and 10 km from Thamel. It is sandwiched between the Nagarjun Forest Reserve and the Trishuli highway. The retreat is constructed on the holy ground where the Buddhist saint Nāgārjuna attained enlightenment over 2000 years ago. The retreat was Established in 1990 AD under the name of the Indian mystic Osho by one of his intimate disciples Swami Anand Arun. The Sanskrit word Tapoban originates from the two root word tapasya meaning spiritual practice and ban meaning forest, thus meaning forest of spiritual practice. The retreat now serves as a commune for the Rajneesh sannyasins and a forest retreat for meditation enthusiasts.

Meditations
A variety of meditations techniques are taught at the retreat. Daily meditation sessions are conducted starting form 7:00 am till 9:30 pm. The meditations comprise of active meditations like dynamic meditation, Nadabrahma meditation, Kundalini meditation, Chakra sound meditation and passive meditation techniques like Vipassana meditation, Anapanasati mediatation. Active meditations are done in vibrant environment where a series of physical activity is followed by a silent mindfulness. On the other hand passive meditation focuses only on silent mindfulness. Discourses are conducted on weekends when the meditation session is decreased to 4 sessions only. The retreat also conduct meditation camps ranging from 2 days to 7 days.

Rajneesh Meditation hall
It is a pagoda style one story building which can be observed as a Shiva lingam when seen from above. The hall is constructed will maximum number of windows for surplus air supply during meditation sessions. It can accommodate 200 people for meditation and 500 people for discourses.

Osho Smadhi
Located at the same place where Nāgārjuna attained enlightenment, is funerary monument of Osho where his remains have been buried. It is believed that the monument creates good vibrations resulting in profound meditation experiences. It is a place for silent meditation sittings; Noise is strictly prohibited in this area. The monument features a bodhi tree at the middle of a pyramidal structural with an open top which is surrounded by a water pool from the nearby spring and a sitting area.

Environment
Osho tapoban is surrounded by the dense forest of Nagarjun hill. Broadleafed tree families like Oak and laurel are predominantly seen in the retreat. The Nagarjun Forest Reserve alongside is home for diversity of wild animals like Himalayan Black bear, leopard, jungle cat, and rhesus monkey. The reserve also features 177 species birds. Some of these animals can be seldom cited in the retreat. Osho Tapopn is great place for birdwatchers and nature lovers.