The Nuns of Dongyu Gatsal Ling

There are over 100 nuns currently living, studying and practising at Dongyu Gatsal Ling. They are from the Himalayan regions; mainly Tibet, Ladakh, Kinnaur, Lahaul, Bhutan, Arunachal and Nepal.

New nuns receive initial ordination from His Eminence the 9th Khamtrul Rinpoche Shedrup Nyima, our Spiritual Director. After a year they receive novice ordination from the Abbot of the Khampagar Monastic Institute in the presence of senior monks from the Khampagar Monastery.

These nuns range in age from children to mature women. Most have had schooling but occasionally some have received no education at all. The DGL Nuns usually complete a demanding 12-year study programme and their achievements are a credit to their commitment and hard work.

A while ago we received a group of young girls from various remote Himalayan regions who came to us to be trained as nuns.  Since they had received no previous schooling, we engaged teachers specifically to instruct them in basic subjects such as Maths, English, general knowledge and so on, along with an emphasis on reading and writing Tibetan.  All these young nuns are now fluent in the Tibetan language and have settled down happily in their new lives.

Daily Life

The nuns’ daily life is varied and full, starting with Tara puja and meditation in the early morning. They can choose to do either silent sitting or walking meditation.

In the evening is a Mahakala puja and Chö ritual, during which the nuns play ritual instruments such as the damaru (a hand-drum) and bell.  There are also four longer ceremonies performed each month, according to the Lunar calendar.

During the day, the nuns schedule is filled with classes, debating and revision.
Intensive Tibetan language courses in reading, writing, comprehension and speaking are the main focus of the first year, along with memorising of prayers. The acquisition of this language is vital, particularly for non-Tibetan speakers, enabling the nuns to fully participate in their philosophical education.

Buddhist philosophy classes are taught by highly trained Tibetan monks from Khampagar Monastic Institute at Tashi Jong. This role is currently filled by Khenpo Sonam Wangyal. In addition, teaching is also undertaken by well-qualified graduate Nuns from our DGL Nunnery. Our teaching faculty is further enhanced by a lay teacher who provides elementary education to the younger nuns.

The nuns practice debating every day.  Debating provides a valuable opportunity to consolidate and deepen understanding of the texts studied and is a powerful means to strengthen the nuns’ self-confidence.

At the completion of the first six years of the philosophical study programme, the nuns may choose to undertake retreat. We now have twelve nuns in long-term retreat, some of whom some have completed thirteen years and are committed to life-long practice. The aspiration of these nuns is to become Togdenma or realised yoginis. They are taught and trained by the eminent Togden monks of Khampagar Monastery in Tashi Jong.

Other nuns may choose to continue their higher philosophical studies for a further 6 years. Some graduate nuns (Lopon) already have the role as teachers and have been awarded the title of Khenmo (professor of philosophy).

Later some of these fully trained nuns may return to their own remote regions to establish well-run nunneries. They can become Dharma teachers and contribute to their community with the life skills they have learned at DGL.

English language is taught at various levels by fully trained guest teachers from overseas. Proficiency in English will enable the nuns to function in the modern world and also to communicate with the many foreign visitors to the nunnery. Already some are involved in office management and maintaining the international sponsorship program.

Jetsunma teaches the nuns once a week, usually making commentary on a traditional text.

Ritual chanting, playing of traditional ceremonial instruments and torma-making (ritual offerings) classes were taught by senior monks from Khampagar Monastery for many years. As a result, our senior nuns are now very proficient and teach the junior nuns themselves.

It’s free for the nuns to live and study at DGL, thanks to our generous sponsors from around the world.

Meet the Nuns