Category Archives: News and Updates

New Housing for Geshemas Doing Tantric Studies

In 2019, the Tibetan Nuns Project started fundraising for a significant initiative, Housing for Geshemas. We sought your help to build 16 rooms at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute for Geshema-degree graduates. These rooms allow these senior nuns to live and study while they attend a year-long Tantric studies program at Gyuto Tantric Monastery.

A Geshema Tibetan Buddhist nuns studies at Dolma Ling Nunnery May 2025

A Geshema Tibetan Buddhist nun studies in one of the 16 purpose-built rooms at Dolma Ling Nunnery, May 2025.

The Geshema degree (called a Geshe degree for men) is the highest level of training in the Gelugpa tradition and is equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism. The degree was only formally opened to women in 2012.

We are happy to report that the rooms are now built, furnished, and occupied. The Geshemas are very grateful for your generosity and kindness.

A Tibetan Buddhist nun studies in new housing block at Dolma Ling Nunnery May 2025

A Geshema nun engaged in peaceful and focused studies. The 16 rooms can be double or single occupancy. In spring 2025, 13 nuns from Nepal and India moved in when they started their year-long Tantric studies program.

In spring 2025, 13 Geshema nuns began their Tantric studies program at Gyuto Tantric Monastery, about two miles from the nunnery.

This year’s nuns came from four nunneries in India and Nepal. There are five nuns from Kopan Nunnery in Nepal, four from Jangchup Choeling Nunnery in south India, three from Geden Choeling Nunnery in Dharamsala, and one from Dolma Ling.

Geshema Tantric Housing at Dolma Ling spring 2025

One of the 13 nuns who began her Tantric studies this spring. The Geshemas are delighted with their rooms. They offer a wonderful atmosphere for study and contemplation.

The Tantric Geshema program began in 2017 under the guidance and support of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Nuns Project. The first group of 23 Geshemas graduated from the program in 2019. The program is thriving.

Though there have been accomplished female practitioners in Tibet’s history, until 2017, women did not have the opportunity to study Tantric Buddhism formally. The nuns travel from Dolma Ling to Gyuto Tantric Monastery for classes.

Happy Geshema Tibetan Buddhist nun at Dolma Ling Nunnery

Nuns engage in text memorization outside their rooms.

The original Gyuto Tantric University was founded in Tibet in 1474 and was re-established in exile. It continues an unbroken tradition for over 500 years and provides the highest level of Tantric training in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

The Tantric Buddhism program provides Geshemas with training in tantric theory, rituals, and mind-training techniques used by those engaged in advanced meditation. This level of training is essential to enable the Geshemas to be fully qualified for advanced leadership roles, such as the head of a nunnery.

Two photos of the new rooms for Geshemas at Dolma Ling Nunnery

Photos of the new rooms for Geshemas at Dolma Ling Nunnery. The 16 rooms can be either single-bed rooms or, as the groups of Geshema graduates become larger, accommodate two nuns per room.

The 16 rooms and facilities are on the third floor of the Yangchen Lophel Study Center at Dolma Ling. These rooms create a good environment for study and contemplation. Each room has enough space for their intensive studies.

The nuns send their gratitude for the improved study conditions and the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Tantric philosophy and practice.

Housing for Geshemas at top of new Yangchen Lophel Study Center

The 16 rooms and facilities are on the third floor of the Yangchen Lophel Study Center at Dolma Ling.

Before the 16 rooms were built, the nunnery was struggling to make space for Geshemas to stay during their course. It placed a strain on the nunnery and restricted the number of new nuns who could be admitted to Dolma Ling because of a lack of accommodation.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses the Geshema nuns who have completed their further studies in Tantric Buddhism.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses the previous group of nine Geshemas who graduated from the Tantric Studies program on February 19th, 2025. The laywomen are Nangsa Choedon, Director (top) and Tenzin Palkyi, Project Coordinator at the Tibetan Nuns Project in India.

We would like to thank everyone who supported the Housing for Geshemas project and the Tantric Studies Program.

The Tantric studies program is now funded through our Geshema Endowment, which also supports the annual Geshema exams and Geshema graduation. We are extremely grateful to the donors to the Geshema Endowment, including the Pema Chodron Foundation, the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Frederick Family Foundation, and the Donaldson Charitable Trust. We hope to put more of our core programs on a solid footing through our Long-Term Stability Fund.

See our Current Needs page for all our projects.

Part of the first group of 23 Geshema nuns who had the opportunity to do Buddhist Tantric Studies. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

Nuns Take on Leadership of Dolma Ling Nunnery

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Change from Male Principal to Leadership by the Nuns

On April 17, 2025, the nuns celebrated big changes in the leadership at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute. For the first time since the nunnery was inaugurated 20 years ago, Dolma Ling has transitioned from having a male principal to leadership by the nuns themselves.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns take on leadership of Dolma Ling Nunnery April 17 2025 for blog

Three Tibetan Buddhist nuns have taken on the leadership of Dolma Ling Nunnery. From left to right: Venerable Ngawang Palmo, Rinchen Khando Choegyal (TNP’s Founding Director and Special Advisor), the former principal who is stepping down, Nangsa Choedon (Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India), Geshema Delek Wangmo (new principal), Geshema Tenzin Dolma, Tenzin Palkyi (Assistant Director, TNP India).

In a change that reflects a shift toward a more collective approach to leadership, responsibilities will be divided between three nuns instead of having one principal. The leadership terms will last three years. After that, the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Nuns’ Committee will decide if they want to keep the nomination process or switch to an election system.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns gather outside prayer hall at Dolma Ling April 17 2025

Tibetan Buddhist nuns gather outside the prayer hall at Dolma Ling carrying kataks, traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves that they will offer the three nunnery leaders as a sign of respect and congratulations.

For the academic side, Geshema Delek Wangmo will take on the role of the nunnery’s principal, handling all academic matters. Two other nuns, Venerable Ngawang Palmo and Geshema Tenzin Dolma, will share the responsibility for the administration of the nunnery.

The Three Nuns Taking on the Leadership

“It is so inspiring to see the nuns taking on the leadership of Dolma Ling and becoming even further role models for their community,” says Lisa Farmer, Executive Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project. “We are so grateful to our supporters for their kindness and generosity. Our work would not be possible without their dedication to the nuns.”

presenting kataks to nunnery leaders at Dolma Ling

Rinchen Khando Choegyal (right), TNP’s Founding Director and Special Advisor, and Nangsa Choedon, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India, present kataks to the leaders of the nunnery at a special celebration on April 17, 2025.

Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute of Buddhist Dialectics is a non-sectarian nunnery located in the Kangra valley near Dharamsala, northern India. The large campus is currently home to about 277 nuns. It is one of two nunneries built and fully supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project. Here are brief biographies of the three nuns now leading the nunnery.

Principal Geshema Delek Wangmo

Geshema Delek Wangmo’s journey to become a principal, Geshema, teacher, and a role model has been long and arduous. Her remarkable life story exemplifies resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to spiritual growth, inspiring others on their paths to enlightenment.

Born in 1970 in Litang in the Kham region of eastern Tibet, Delek Wangmo was ordained at 15 with Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. Her village, Detsa, did not have a school and she spent most of her time tending animals with her nomadic family.

When she was 19, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche led her and other nuns on an 18-month, 950-mile pilgrimage from their home province to Lhasa with the group prostrating the entire way. She began learning the Tibetan alphabet on the pilgrimage. After escaping from Tibet in 1990, she and other nuns lived in a rental house funded by the Tibetan Nuns Project, studying in the early morning and late evening while actively participating in the construction of their new nunnery, Dolma Ling.

Geshema Delek Wangmo new principal of Dolma Ling April 17 2025

Geshema Delek Wangmo, the new principal of Dolma Ling, being offered Tibetan ceremonial scarves as a act of respect and congratulations. She was virtually illiterate when she escaped from Tibet and now holds the highest degree in her tradition. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

After years of study, Delek Wangmo earned her Geshema degree in 2017. She then became part of the first group of nuns allowed to study at Gyuto Tantric University, also a part of the traditional education for monks. After completing her education, Geshema Delek Wangmo became a philosophy teacher at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute in 2019. In 2020, she was appointed as an election commissioner by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. You can read more of her remarkable story here.

Venerable Ngawang Palmo

Venerable Ngawang Palmo knew from the time she was little that she wanted to be a nun. She and her friends used to pretend to teach each other scriptures when they were playing. She was born in 1975 to a farming family in Central Tibet. She had some opportunities for education in Tibet. At age 7, she went to school for three months a year and began learning Tibetan, but the 9-month gaps in learning made it hard to progress.

nuns take on leadership at Dolma Ling Nunnery

On April 17, 2025, the nuns and special guests gathered in the prayer hall at Dolma Ling to celebrate the nuns taking on the leadership of the nunnery. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

At 13, she became ordained as a nun and lived at Gari Nunnery until 1992. However, because of Chinese restrictions, she received no proper and systematic education there. Moreover, after some of the Gari nuns celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, Chinese authorities arrested and expelled many nuns. In 1992, Ngawang Palmo escaped on foot from Tibet seeking education and the freedom to practice her religion.

Venerable Ngawang Palmo brings a wealth of experience to her new role. In addition to her years of studies, she has held many administrative positions at Dolma Ling, including as librarian and treasurer. She served in the Changdzö office, which is responsible for the nunnery’s finances and property. The Changdzö nuns have several duties. They receive and distribute offering money. They also run the nunnery store and make purchases for the nunnery. Venerable Ngawang Palmo was one of seven nuns on the Administration Committee overseeing major decisions for the institution.

Geshema Tenzin Dolma

Geshema Tenzin Dolma was born in Kinnaur, a small village in the Indian Himalayas. Her family were farmers and she spent a lot of time working in the fields and helping her mother at home. There was a nearby Indian government school. However, her school life was brief. She attended primary school until Grade 5, then dropped out to help her family.

After a nun from Dolma Ling came to her village for holidays, Tenzin Dolma decided to become a nun and pursue her education. She became a nun at 18 and came to Dharamsala, joining Dolma Ling first as a day student before she got full admission in 1999. She found the early days challenging because she couldn’t read and write Tibetan, and she struggled to learn the alphabet. Also, the temporary living conditions for the nuns were difficult. She recalled, “During those days, Dolma Ling Nunnery was under construction and we had to help the builders most of the days. We didn’t even have a proper kitchen and we didn’t use gas. We had to go out to find wood for cooking.”

When Tenzin Dolma joined Dolma Ling as a day student in 1998, the nunnery was under construction. Here’s an archival photo of a nun holding a paper model of the nunnery in front of the construction site. Thanks to your support, Dolma Ling is now a thriving educational center.

Tenzin Dolma worked hard and excelled. She earned her Geshema degree, equal to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, in 2017. She was one of the second group of nuns to achieve this. Like Principal Geshema Delek Wangmo, in 2019 she completed a year-long course in Tantric Studies at Gyuto Tantric Monastery. This groundbreaking program funded by Tibetan Nuns Project donors provides dedicated senior nuns training in tantric theory, rituals, and mind-training techniques used by those engaged in advanced meditation.

“I have learned lots of new things at Dolma Ling. I think to myself that if I were in my village, I would have missed all these opportunities to develop myself and find a meaning and value of life.” Geshema Tenzin Dolma is very grateful to the supporters of the Tibetan Nuns Project and to Dolma Ling.

About Dolma Ling

Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute of Buddhist Dialectics is a non-sectarian nunnery near Dharamsala, northern India. The large campus is now home to 277 nuns.

Rinchen Khando Choegyal TNP Founding Director and Special Advisor

Rinchen Khando Choegyal, the Tibetan Nuns Project’s Founding Director and Special Advisor, with a nun at Dolma Ling at the celebration on April 17th.

Officially inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 8, 2005, the nunnery is fully funded by the Tibetan Nuns Project and was the first institute dedicated specifically to higher Buddhist education for Tibetan Buddhist nuns from all traditions.

Dolma Ling is unique because it offers a 17-year curriculum of traditional Buddhist philosophy and debate, as well as modern courses in Tibetan language, English, basic mathematics, and computer skills. The nuns also receive training in the ritual arts such as sand mandalas and butter sculpture. The nunnery was completed after 12 years of hard work. The nuns helped to build the nunnery and work diligently to maintain it.

For the first nuns who fled to India, such academic and leadership successes would have seemed almost impossible. Almost all the nuns who arrived as refugees had received no formal education. Many could not even write their names.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India building a nunnery photo Jessica Tampas copy

Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India building Dolma Ling. Photo by Jessica Tampas.

When the nuns arrived in India, they were ill, exhausted, traumatized and impoverished. Many nuns had faced torture and imprisonment at the hands of the Chinese authorities in Tibet and endured immense physical and emotional pain. The existing nunneries in the struggling Tibetan refugee community in India were already overcrowded and could not accommodate them.

The Tibetan Nuns Project, with your support, had to focus on the basics of education. This included setting up classes, building a curriculum, ensuring regular attendance, and administering tests. Those who have always had access to education might take these systems for granted. However, for the nuns, every part of an education system had to be established from scratch.

The new academic year began at Dolma Ling on March 17, 2025. Unfortunately, the nunnery is now so crowded that it is not possible to take in new nuns for this academic year. In April, we launched a project to help build special housing for elderly nuns. The Tibetan Nuns Project has set up a Long-Term Stability Fund to support our main programs. These include education, food, shelter, clothing, and basic medical care for the nuns.

Annual Graduation Ceremonies Held at Shugsep and Dolma Ling Nunneries

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In April, the two Tibetan Buddhist nunneries built and fully supported by Tibetan Nuns Project donors held their annual graduation ceremonies. We are delighted to share this news and the nuns’ photos. We send deepest thanks to all those who sponsor a nun at the nunneries.

Shugsep Nunnery Graduation Ceremony on April 5, 2025

Shugsep Nunnery and Institute, now home to about 100 nuns, is a Nyingma nunnery re-established in northern India and inaugurated 15 years ago in 2010. On April 5, the nunnery held its annual graduation ceremony. The chief guest was Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, alongside our Founding Director and Special Advisor Kasur Rinchen Khandro, Secretary Dudrul Dorjee from the Department of Religion and Culture, and Nangsa Choedon, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India.

Rinchen Khando Choegyal, the Tibetan Nuns Project Founding Director and Special Advisor, at the annual Shugsep graduation ceremony on April 5, 2025.

The ceremony recognized the nuns’ various achievements. The Speaker presented certificates to 4th, 7th, and 9th-year students. Other dignitaries awarded certificates to first-year philosophical college students, as well as to first-year and 4th-year students, primary school students, and those who received special recognition for root text memorization.

Shugsep Nunnery annual graduation ceremony April 2025

Chief guest, Venerable Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, presented certificates and the Shugsep graduation ceremony.

In his address, the Parliamentary Speaker emphasized the special responsibilities inherent in monastic life, stressing the importance of continuous mindfulness beyond routine practices. Drawing from the teachings of Acharya Vasubandhu, the Speaker outlined the core monastic educational path, which includes maintaining discipline, engaging in comprehensive study and contemplation, and dedicating oneself to diligent meditation. He noted that this approach has formed the foundation for accomplished scholars across all Tibetan Buddhist traditions.

Nangsa Choedon at the Shugsep Graduation ceremony

Nangsa Choedon, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India, at the Shugsep Graduation ceremony.

The Speaker provided detailed explanations of these educational pillars, including maintaining discipline through adherence to monastic vows; learning through study by pursuing education with focused attention; contemplation, which involves repeatedly examining teachings through scriptural authority and reasoning; and meditation, which focuses on internalizing knowledge to transform one’s life.

He emphasized that true education should lead to visible personal transformation, stating, “If you remain unchanged year after year, your study, contemplation, and meditation are inadequate.” The Speaker urged students not only to change themselves but also to positively influence those around them.

The Tibetan Nuns Project’s Founding Director and Special Advisor, Kasur Rinchen Khandro, and Nangsa Choedon, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India, both spoke at the event.

Quoting from Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara, he said, “There is nothing that does not become easier through familiarization,” and added the Tibetan proverb, “All activities are practice; who is skilled among practitioners?” to underline the idea that consistent effort inevitably yields results.

The Speaker further highlighted the importance of diligence and comprehensive education, quoting The Words of My Perfect Teacher to discuss the relationship between wisdom and diligence. He noted that moderate wisdom, paired with excellent diligence, can yield superior results compared to excellent wisdom coupled with poor diligence.

Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile at the Shugsep graduation ceremony April 2025

Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said that, in addition to traditional knowledge, students should also pursue modern sciences and languages to maximize their contributions to Tibetan religion, culture, and society.

The Speaker warned of the irreparable damage that educational deficiencies can cause, particularly concerning cultural and linguistic preservation. He concluded by calling for harmony among all present, quoting Bodhicharyavatara: “May the Sangha always be in harmony, and may the purposes of the Sangha be fulfilled.”

Annual Award Ceremony at Dolma Ling Nunnery

On April 9, 2025, the Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute held an award ceremony to honor the top achievers of the 2024 final examinations.

Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute of Buddhist Dialectics is a non-sectarian nunnery near Dharamsala and is home to about 277 nuns. It was inaugurated in 2005 and was the first institute dedicated to higher Buddhist education for Tibetan Buddhist nuns from all traditions.

Dolma Ling academic award ceremony April 2025

The Dolma Ling academic award ceremony on April 9, 2025. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

Kabjye Yongzin Ling Choktrul Rinpoche was the Chief Guest at the award ceremony. Secretary Dhondul Dorjee from the Department of Religion and Culture and Secretary Jigme Namgyal from the Department of Education attended the event as special guests.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling receive awards from Kabjye Yongzin Ling Choktrul Rinpoche April 9 2025

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling receive academic awards from special guest Kabjye Yongzin Ling Choktrul Rinpoche at a ceremony on April 9, 2025.

It was also attended by the Tibetan Nuns Project’s founding director and special advisor Kasur Rinchen Khando, and Nangsa Choedon, the Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India.

Academic award ceremony at Dolma Ling Nunnery April 9 2025

Over 270 Tibetan Buddhist nuns gathered in the debate courtyard at Dolma Ling on April 9th for the annual ceremony honoring academic achievements. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

The ceremony began with the principal’s report on the history and educational activities of the Dolma Ling. Then the distinguished guests gave the awards of academic excellence to the top-performing students.

How You Can Support Nuns’ Education

Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India rely on outside support. There are many ways that you can help educate and empower the nuns including:

Sponsor a nun for $1 a day.
Become a monthly donor at any amount you choose.
Support teachers by helping to fund teachers’ salaries at various nunneries
Donate to our Long-Term Stability Fund to put our core programs on solid ground.
Leave a legacy gift to the Tibetan Nuns Project.

Blog credit: With reporting from tibet.net

A Paradigm Shift for Tibetan Buddhist Nuns

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A Paradigm Shift

Less than ten years ago, the first Tibetan Buddhist nuns made history when they graduated with the Geshema degree, equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhism.

Until 2012, the highest degree was only open to men. The 2016 Geshema graduation ceremony, presided over by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, marked a new chapter in the education of ordained Buddhist women.

This winter, His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed the Geshema nuns who completed a one-year program in Tantric Buddhism. The laywomen are Nangsa Choedon, Director (top) and Tenzin Palkyi, Project Coordinator at the Tibetan Nuns Project in India.

Their success fulfilled a longstanding wish of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the patron of the Tibetan Nuns Project. It was even more remarkable because some of the nuns were illiterate when they escaped from Tibet.

Since those first 20 nuns stepped across the stage to make history, many nuns have followed in their footsteps. Last year, a record 144 nuns sat various levels of the four-year Geshemas exams and 13 graduated as Geshemas, bringing the total number of Geshemas to 73.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the 20 Geshema graduates in 2016. Photo courtesy of OHHDL.

This change in the status and education of Tibetan Buddhist nuns would not have been possible without the steadfast generosity of our supporters. Thank you! The Geshemas are now assuming leadership and teaching roles previously closed to women.

Fifth Set of Graduates from the Tantric Studies Program

Last month, on February 19th, 2025, nine Geshemas graduated from the year-long Tantric Studies program at Gyuto Tantric University near Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute.

Here’s a charming video of the graduation made by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns. Can’t see the video? Click here.

The Tibetan Nuns Project launched the Tantric Buddhism study program in 2017 thanks to the support of generous donors. Although there have been accomplished female practitioners in Tibet’s history, women have never before been given such an opportunity to formally study Tantric Buddhism.

A Tibetan Buddhist nun receives a blessing from His Holiness the Dalai Lama Dec 2024

A Geshema receives blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in December 2024 after completing a one-year program in Tantric Buddhism. These women pioneers have accomplished a level of scholarship and Buddhist training that, until recently, was only open to men.

Another Step Towards Equality

The Tibetan Nuns Project has played a pivotal role in advocating for equality of access to education and higher degrees. The Tantric Buddhism program for nuns helps bring them more in line with monks for learning opportunities and advancement along the spiritual path.

Once monks attain their Geshe degree, if they want to be fully qualified masters capable of teaching their complete tradition, they must add to their knowledge an understanding of the principles of Tantra and the main Tantric practices of their tradition. For these studies, monks usually join one of the two Tantric Colleges where they have access to highly qualified teachers, texts, and a supportive community of practitioners. Until recently, these options weren’t available to nuns.

Tantric studies, Tibetan nuns, Tibetan Buddhism, Dolma Ling

For the first time in the history of Tibet, Buddhist nuns have the opportunity to formally study Tantric Buddhism. The program started in 2017 and now the fifth set of nuns has graduated. Photo courtesy of the Nuns Media Team.

The Tantric studies program for nuns began in 2017 after a committee of representatives from six nunneries approached His Holiness the Dalai Lama for advice about the curriculum and how to proceed.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama kindly gave detailed instructions about the treatises to be used and recommended that the Geshema nuns study as a group at Dolma Ling Nunnery. The first Geshemas graduated in 2019.

Tibetan Buddhist nun graduates from Tantric Buddhism Program Feb 2025

Nangsa Chodon, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India, presents the degree certificate at the graduation ceremony on February 19, 2025, for the fifth group of Geshemas who completed their studies in Tantric Buddhism.

The Tantric Studies program will continue as more nuns obtain the Geshema degree. In January 2025, the Tibetan Nuns Project completed the funding for 16 rooms at Dolma Ling where the Geshemas from India and Nepal can stay while they take the program. This is an exciting development of a safe space for the nuns to stay and focus on their studies.

Building a Solid Future

The Tantric studies program for nuns is funded through our Geshema Endowment which also supports the annual Geshema exams and the Geshema graduation each November. We are extremely grateful to the 159 donors to the Geshema Endowment, including the Pema Chodron Foundation, the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Frederick Family Foundation, and the Donaldson Charitable Trust.

Feb 2025 Graduation ceremony for Tibetan Buddhist Geshemas who completed their one-year program in Tantric Buddhism

On February 19, 2025, the fifth cohort of Geshemas graduated from their one-year program in Tantric Buddhism. Nine nuns graduated from this special program launched by the Tibetan Nuns Project in 2017.

The Tibetan Nuns Project wants to put more of its core programs on solid ground through our Long-Term Stability Fund and through encouraging supporters to leave a legacy of compassion to help the nuns.

As one supporter said, “A donation to this cause benefits beyond helping just the nuns… it benefits the Tibetan culture, it benefits refugees from Tibet, it benefits education for women, it benefits the Buddhist religion and community and all of this spreads like a ripple of compassion for others beyond that community. This is not charity; it is an investment in humanity.”

The Plumbing Crisis at Shugsep Nunnery

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Happy news! The nuns’ prayers are answered! Thanks to the generosity of some donors, this big job is fully funded. We will report back as soon as possible.

Imagine if all the pipes in and around your home were leaking and you had to replace them.

This is the shocking situation facing the nuns at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute.

The underground water pipes installed during construction in 2008 have become severely corroded, are leaking, and causing dampness in the nuns’ rooms.

Plumbing Crisis at Shugsep Nunnery Feb 2025

The nuns at Shugsep are trying to repair the leaking pipe themselves but need outside help.

The nuns and the Khenpo (abbot) have been trying to solve the problem themselves. They have been digging up the pipes in various places to try to fix them. Sadly, they have discovered that even replacing broken union joints is impossible because of the corroded pipes. They need your help!

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Shugsep repairing leaking pipes

Nuns are working hard to access and repair the pipes, but it’s a massive job. The plumbing throughout the nunnery must be replaced with good-quality PVC pipes.

In light of these problems, there is no choice but to replace the pipe system throughout the nunnery with good-quality PVC pipes. To do this big plumbing job, they need to hire outside people. To complete the supply line to the overhead tank, the work must be done by an experienced plumber and outside workers.

The total cost is $12,000.

In the meantime, the nuns are trying to find solutions to keep the plumbing system running smoothly but they need your help. Learn more and donate here.

Your gift will:
1. Provide good-quality PVC pipes with unions, bends, and sockets
2. Pay for plumbing labour costs
3. Fund the excavation and the repair of paving where necessary
4. Repair the plumbing in the teachers’ section and guesthouse

The Shugsep nuns gathered for prayers to aid with their leaking pipes and plumbing issues.

The Shugsep nuns held a special puja to pray for help with their leaking pipes and plumbing issues.

2024 Geshema Graduation and Inter-Nunnery Debate

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Thirteen More Nuns Earn Highest Degree

In late November, 13 more Tibetan Buddhist nuns graduated with their Geshema degrees at a special convocation ceremony in Bodh Gaya, India.

The Geshema degree is the female equivalent of the Geshe degree for monks. It is the highest academic degree available in the Gelug tradition, roughly equivalent to a PhD.

Nangsa Choedon of the Tibetan Nuns Project helps present the Geshema graduates with their certificates. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

The degree, once reserved for men, was only formally opened to women in 2012. The 13 new graduates are the 7th cohort of Geshemas since the degree was opened to women. The first 20 nuns graduated in 2016.

2024 Geshema Graduation and Annual Debate Event

The graduation was the culmination of the nuns’ annual inter-nunnery debate event called the Jang Gonchoe from 25th October to 27th November 2024.

Flower petals mark the 2024 Geshema graduation ceremony in Bodh Gaya. The graduates hold the yellow hats that signify the holding of the degree. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

The Geshema degree enables these dedicated women to assume various leadership roles in their monastic and lay communities reserved for degree holders and previously not open to women.

receives her degree at the 2024 Geshema graduation ceremony in Bodh Gaya

One of the 13 new Geshemas receives her degree at the 2024 graduation ceremony in Bodh Gaya. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

The Geshema exams took place in the summer and a record 144 nuns took various levels of the four-year exams.

Collage of images from the 2024 Geshema exams.

Momentum is building and an increasing number of nuns wish to attain this highest academic standing. Many more nuns are saying in their introductory interviews that they want to pursue the rigorous 17-year training that precedes the four-year Geshema exam process.

Momentum is building! Chart of the Geshema exams since the degree was opened to women in 2012. No exams were held in 2020 or 2021 because of Covid.

They look to examples of Geshemas as teachers and leaders. They are inspired to follow in their footsteps. As of December 2024, there are 73 Geshemas.

2024 Jang Gonchoe Inter-Nunnery Debate

Throughout the year nuns practice debate daily at their nunneries. However, the Jang Gonchoe debate event provides essential training and practice that is vital for nuns who wish to pursue higher degrees.

In 2024, hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist nuns from India and Nepal took part in the month-long inter-nunnery debate event called the jang Gonchoe. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

Once again, hundreds of Tibetan Buddhist nuns from nunneries in India and Nepal gathered at the Kagyu Monlam in Bodh Gaya to take part in the month-long intensive training in monastic debate.

Nuns practicing debate daily at Dolma Ling Nunnery. Monastic debate is of critical importance in traditional Tibetan Buddhist learning. Through debate, nuns test and consolidate their classroom learning. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam.

Throughout the year nuns practice debate daily at their nunneries. But, the Jang Gonchoe debate event provides the training and practice that is essential for nuns who wish to pursue higher degrees.

Support Long-Term Stability

The annual Geshema exams and the inter-nunnery debate are both funded by endowments and are now self-sustaining thanks to our generous supporters.

Nuns prepare flatbreads for the hundreds of nuns taking part in the 2024 inter-nunnery debate and Geshema graduation. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

The nuns’ costs such as food and travel for month-long inter-nunnery debate are covered by the Debate Fund. Now we want to put more of our core programs on a sustainable footing with TNP’s Long-Term Stability Fund.

We are extremely grateful to the 159 donors to the Geshema Endowment, including the Pema Chodron Foundation, the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Frederick Family Foundation, and the Donaldson Charitable Trust. We are also very grateful to all those who sponsor nuns and help them on their path.

Now we wish to put more of our core programs on a sustainable footing. To that end, we launched the Long-Term Stability Fund. Learn more and donate here.

The latest Geshema grads and Nangsa Choedon of the Tibetan Nuns Project at the Geshema graduation in 2024. Photo by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

Peaceful Portraits: Tibetan Nuns in Focus at Shugsep Nunnery

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We are happy to share recent photos by the nuns of daily life at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute and hope they bring you joy.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute in India

Some of the 90 Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute, a nunnery built and completely supported by supporters of the Tibetan Nuns Project.

Shugsep, a Nyingma nunnery re-established in northern India, is now home to 90 Tibetan Buddhist nuns. We are very grateful to everyone who sponsors nuns and hope these photos help show the impact of your support. More sponsors are always needed and the cost is just $1 a day.

Summer Rain Retreat

From late July to early September, the nuns practiced the six-week Summer Rain Retreat, known as Yar Ney in Tibetan (དབྱར་གནས།). This annual retreat dates back 2,600 years to the Buddha and holds profound significance in the monastic calendar.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Shugsep Nunnery 2024

A sacred procession of nuns carrying a Buddha statue and sacred texts. The Summer Rain Retreat is a time of intensive study and practice.

The Buddha instructed monastics to stay in one place during the monsoon rains because travel was difficult and to prevent harm to the many living things that emerge in the rainy season. The Summer Rain Retreat is a time for the monastic sangha to gather, deepen their understanding of the teachings, and uphold the traditions taught by the Buddha.

Puja Summer Rain retreat Shugsep Nunnery and Institute

The nuns at Shugsep carrying sacred scriptures. Unlike Western books, the pages of Tibetan Buddhist texts are long, loose, stacked between two cover boards, and wrapped in protective cloth.

The first day of the retreat begins with a special puja. Special Vinaya vows are taken which the nuns observe throughout the six weeks. Next, accompanied by horns and other sacred musical instruments, the nuns proceed in a single-file procession.

Photos from September 2024 showing the nuns playing sacred Tibetan music during a puja. Left to right, they play the gyaling, a reed instrument, somewhat like an oboe, brass cymbals, and conch shells.

Special pujas also mark the conclusion of the retreat. These sacred rituals have been orally transmitted from teacher to disciple for generations and, thanks to your support, are preserved by the nuns.

Progress on the Shugsep Retreat Center

Work is progressing on the Shugsep Retreat Center but funds are still needed. Retreat is an essential element of Buddhist practice, but without a dedicated space at the nunnery, the nuns are forced to travel to Nepal or the caves at Tso Pemo to go on retreat.

Shugsep Retreat Center Under Construction 2024

The retreat center at Shugsep is under construction though funds are still needed to complete this big project. Fundraising began in 2022.

Shugsep is a Nyingma nunnery that traces its rituals and practice to some of the most illustrious female practitioners in Tibetan history. Fifty-nine senior Shugsep nuns now hold Lopon degrees, the highest degree in the Nyingma tradition, similar to an MA. These senior nuns are the teachers and leaders of the future and need a place to practice retreat to become fully qualified teachers and preservers of their ancient tradition.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns working on Shugsep Retreat Center

The nuns are helping with the construction of the Shugsep Retreat Center.

Funds are still needed to complete this big project! Please donate here.

Winter Robes

In 2024, the Shugsep nuns received 92 sets of winter robes. The nuns send their deep gratitude for the robes which will help them through the cold winter months.

Thank you to those who donated to purchase 92 winter robes for the nuns. The presentation of materials for robes is a powerful act of devotion and respect and is believed to have beneficial karmic effects.

None of the nunneries are heated. Shugsep, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, gets very cold in winter. The average temperature in January ranges from 50°F (10°C) to 31°F (-0°C). The new robes will be very helpful, especially during prayers because the nuns are not allowed to wear coats or sweaters in the prayer hall as per monastic rules.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute

Thank you to all the sponsors of nuns! More sponsors are always needed.

Preserving Ancient Wisdom Traditions

Many of the senior nuns came from the original Shugsep Nunnery in Tibet. After being expelled from their nunnery by Chinese authorities, they escaped to India to freely practice their religion.

Tibetan Buddhist nun at Shugsep Nunnery and Institute

The nuns in India are preserving Tibet’s ancient teachings and culture. Shugsep Nunnery in Tibet was once home to one of the most famous female teachers, Shugsep Jetsunma.

Every Sunday night, the Shugsep nuns practice a special ritual called Chöd (pronounced chö). It is also known as “The Beggars Offering” or “Cutting Through the Ego.”

Chod Practice Tibetan Buddhist Shugsep Nunnery

A nun hits a large drum during a puja at Shugsep Nunnery.

Chöd, which means “cutting through”, is a spiritual practice that aims at cutting through the hindrances of self-cherishing thought and ignorance. These are the greatest obstacles on the path to enlightenment.

In the Chöd ritual, practitioners visualize symbolically offering their bodies, for the sake of others, as a tantric feast to sentient beings. This is a brave way to exchange oneself for others and develop compassion, and a quick method to realize emptiness.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns carrying mani stones om mani padme hum

Young nuns carrying mani stones with the mantra “Om mani padme hum”. The mani stones are arranged along the new kora or circumambulation pathway where the nuns walk every day..

Your donations to the Tibetan Nuns Project strengthen and preserve Tibetan culture and religion – under great threat due to the occupation of Tibet. By educating and empowering these dedicated women you are creating teachers and leaders of the future. The whole world will benefit. Thank you!

A Geshema Comes to Washington

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This summer Geshema Delek Wangmo, a teacher at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute, was a special guest at Sravasti Abbey in Washington State for a one-month residency.

Sravasti Abbey in Washington State welcomes Geshema Delek Wangmo. Born in Tibet in 1970 to a nomadic family, Geshema Delek Wangmo was illiterate when she was ordained as a Buddhist nun at 15. She now lives and teaches at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute in India. Photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

Sravasti Abbey was founded in 2003 by the author, teacher, and fully ordained nun Venerable Thubten Chodron. The abbey follows Tibetan Buddhism in the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is situated on 300 acres of forest and meadows outside Newport, Washington, near the Idaho state line.

On August 11th, Sravasti Abbey held a special event with Geshema Delek Wangmo that people could attend in person or online via YouTube. You can see the talk here.

Geshema Delek Wangmo had a one-month residency at Sravasti Abbey in Washington State and gave a public talk on August 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

Geshema Delek Wangmo’s story is a tale of faith, courage, resilience, purpose, and tenacity. Her public talk, in English, related to her life as a Tibetan Buddhist nun and her monastic education. She spoke about her role as a teacher of other nuns and her aspirations for Tibetan Buddhism in the future.

Geshema Delek Wangmo was one of the first Tibetan Buddhist nuns to complete the rigorous Geshema degree — equivalent to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy — once reserved for monks only.

This was the first trip to the West by Geshema Delek Wangmo, a Buddhist scholar, practitioner, and teacher from Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute in India. Photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

Geshema Delek Wangmo’s time at the Abbey was intended to be a rich cultural and educational exchange. She practiced her English skills and helped some Abbey community members build their spoken Tibetan abilities. She learned about Buddhist monasticism in the West by attending sessions of the Abbey’s annual Exploring Monastic Life program.

Geshema Delek Wangmo at Sravasti Abbey photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey 9

In Tibet, many nuns like Delek Wangmo did not have access to education. Her journey from illiteracy to a respected teacher has been one of faith, courage, and diligence. Photo August 11, 2024 courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

She also offered a course in English on Buddhist Reasoning and Debate, the Tibetan pedagogical method for sharpening and deepening insight.

Abbess Venerable Thubten Chodron has long been a proponent of advanced education for Tibetan nuns and Sravasti Abbey is a long-time supporter of the Tibetan Nuns Project. While Abbey residents have had the honor to receive profound teachings from a great number of Tibetan lamas and geshes, it is a historically significant next step to also host a female Tibetan scholar to teach the Western sangha.

Saying goodbye. The nuns at Dolma Ling, where Geshema Delek Wangmo teaches, had summer exams so she was able to a break from teaching until August 19th. She helped to build Dolma Ling, one of the first Tibetan nunneries in India, brick by brick, over 30 years ago. Photo courtesy of Sravasti Abbey.

An Incredible Journey

When she was 19, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche led her and other nuns on a pilgrimage from their home province to Lhasa, where the Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace and other holy sites are located. Not only was this a 950-mile trek through mountains, but the group prostrated the entire way. It took one and a half years.

Portrait of Geshema Delek Wangmo taken at Dolma Ling Nunnery in 2022 by Olivier Adam

However, when they arrived, the group was denied entry into Lhasa by the Chinese authorities. The journey was not wasted: along the way, she had begun her education and learned the Tibetan alphabet for the first time.

The large group of nuns headed south, eventually entering India and connecting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Varanasi.

Improving the Situation for Nuns

Unfortunately, there were few nunneries in India and no space for the new nuns. Soon, the Tibetan Nuns Project was formed and began the process of building two facilities, Shugsep and Dolma Ling, both near Dharamsala.

In 1994, Delek Wangmo and other nuns were able to move into Dolma Ling, which was subsequently inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2005. Not only did Dolma Ling provide much-needed housing and living facilities, but it was dedicated specifically to higher Buddhist education for nuns.

Geshema Delek Wangmo teaching TCV students about monastic debate Sept 2023

Geshema Delek Wangmo teaching Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) students about monastic debate in September 2023.

In Tibet, many nuns like Delek Wangmo did not have access to education. Dolma Ling provides a 17-year curriculum, comparable to what has traditionally been available to monks. With these educational opportunities and the support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Geshema degree was offered in 2012.

The Geshema degree is equivalent to the Geshe degree, with the “ma” indicating it is awarded to women. The Geshe degree is roughly equivalent to a PhD in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, requiring decades of study, extensive exams, and public debate sessions. The monastics who earn this degree become teachers, abbots, and other leaders within Tibetan Buddhism.

Delek Wangmo became Geshema Delek Wangmo in 2017, part of the second group of nuns to complete their exams and earn their degrees. She was then part of the first group of nuns allowed to study at Gyuto Tantric University, also a part of the traditional education for monks.

Geshema Delek Wangmo teaching at Dolma Ling 2019

Delek Wangmo earned her Geshema degree in 2017 and was hired as a teacher at Dolma Ling in 2019. She says, “Looking back to where I started and what I have achieved now is something very special in my life. I feel satisfied and relief now. When I fled from tibet I never expect such things in life that I will have
these kind of opportunity in such a good place. I would like to thanks many people who have supported me in completing my education.”

After completing her education, Geshema Delek Wangmo became a philosophy teacher at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute in 2019. In 2020, she was appointed as an election commissioner by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

Celebrating 20 Years of Thiusar Magazine: A Blossoming Journey

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This year Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India are celebrating a remarkable milestone: 20 years of Thiusar Magazine, a literary publication of the nuns supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project. Since its inception, Thiusar has been a beacon of creativity and expression for the nuns, and we are delighted to reflect on its journey and growth.

In 2024, the Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling celebrated the 20th anniversary of the nuns’ magazine Thiusar. Detail of photo by Robin Groth

The Beginning

Thiusar Magazine started as a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to Kasur Rinchen Khandro, whose leadership and guidance have been foundational to the Tibetan Nuns Project. In the early 2000s, nuns began writing small letters and prose, which they would leave on her desk. These heartfelt notes, filled with gratitude and personal reflections, caught her attention. Recognizing the potential in their writings, Kasur Rinchen Khandro encouraged the nuns to formalize their efforts and create a magazine. Thus, in 2002, Thiusaur Magazine was born.

Growing Together

Over the past two decades, Thiusar has evolved from a budding flower into a fully bloomed one. This transformation is beautifully captured in the 2024 magazine cover design, which features a youthful flower symbolizing the vibrancy and growth of the nuns. The magazine now reflects the incredible progress and blossoming talents of our community. What started as a small gesture has grown into a significant publication, celebrated for its quality and depth.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns holding copies of their magazine

Thiusaur means “budding flower” in Tibetan. When the Tibetan Nuns Project began most of the nuns were illiterate; now they write, edit, and publish their annual magazine in Tibetan. The yellow one is the first edition and the blue on the right is the most recent magazine. Photos by Robin Groth, 2024.

Diverse Voices

The pages of the magazine are filled with essays, articles, short stories, and poems, each piece a reflection of the unique experiences and creative outlet of the nuns. The magazine is distributed annually to every nunnery and various NGOs in India, and its reach and impact are widely appreciated. Thiusar offers a rare glimpse into the hearts and minds of Tibetan nuns, sharing their journeys and perspectives with the world. The diversity of topics and styles in the magazine underlines the varied thoughts and feelings that our nuns bring to their writing.

Embracing Change

Reflecting on the early days, Venerable Delek Yangdron, a dedicated member of the magazine committee, recalls the challenges of receiving handwritten submissions and painstakingly typing each one. Today, technology has revolutionized our process. Nuns now send their writings via email, making the editorial process smoother and more efficient. This shift has not only eased the workload but has also empowered the nuns, boosting their confidence in their technological and design skills.

Tibetan Buddhist nun working on computer.

Early days. Venerable Delek Yangdron, one of the Dolma Ling media nuns and a dedicated member of the magazine committee remembers receiving handwritten submissions and typing up each submission.

Adapting to digital tools has also opened up new possibilities for collaboration and creativity. Nuns can now work together on projects, share ideas more easily, and access more resources for inspiration. This technological advancement has brought a new dynamism to Thiusaur, enriching the content and making the production process more collaborative and inclusive.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate 20 years of Thiusar Magazine, we look forward to the future with great hope and excitement. The nuns are eager to continue contributing their voices and sharing their stories. The magazine’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current stature exemplifies their dedication and creativity.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns receiving computer training in 2013. The mission of the Tibetan Nuns Project is to educate and empower nuns of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as teachers and leaders; and
to establish, strengthen, and support educational institutions to sustain Tibetan religion and culture. Photo by Harald Weichhart.

The celebration of Thiusar’s 20th anniversary is not just about looking back but also about coming together to acknowledge the collective effort that has made the magazine a success. We are immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to Thiusar over the years — the writers, editors, designers, and supporters.

Creating a Legacy of a Kinder World: An Interview

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Jalene Szuba joined the Tibetan Nuns Project board of directors in June 2024. A supporter of Tibetan Buddhist nuns for over half her life, she has also left a portion of her estate to the Tibetan Nuns Project to create a legacy of a kinder world. Read her story and see the extended trailer of her film about the nuns.

Jalene Szuba is a board-certified health coach helping busy professionals master their sleep for better health. She lives in Colorado with her life love Evan and their boxer Gus.

How did you first get involved with the nuns and the Tibetan Nuns Project?

In 1996, I met the photographer, Jessica Tampas, who was involved with the Tibetan resettlement program in Chicago and we hit it off. I was interested in the Tibetan situation and was longing to visit the Tibetan refugees in India.

Jessica invited me to join her on a trip to Dharamsala in 1997 to photograph the Tibetan nuns and the Tibetan Children’s Village. I was a film major and brought my video camera to capture footage of both. I edited a few pieces when I returned to show at an exhibition Jessica had organized to raise awareness and funds for the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Tibetan Children’s Village.

archival photo 1997 of Jalene Szuba with Tibetan Buddhist nuns

Jalene (top left) with Tibetan refugee nuns in 1997. She shared, “I’ve always been an advocate for female equality and empowerment so it just made sense to support an organization that was making sure these women had the same education and opportunities as the monks.”

What is it about the Tibetan Nuns Project’s mission and work that speaks to you?

When I first met the nuns in 1997 and learned about the mission of the Tibetan Nuns Project I was struck by how historic it was. This was something that had never happened — the nuns getting a formal education with the goal of attaining higher degrees.

I was also struck by how much they had accomplished in just 10 years. I felt honored to capture the nuns as they physically carried the rocks and built Dolma Ling Nunnery with their own bare hands. I’ve always been an advocate for female equality and empowerment so it just made sense to support an organization that was making sure these women had the same education and opportunities as the monks.

In 1997, Jalene filmed the nuns building Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute. The nunnery is now home to over 250 nuns and is fully supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project. Photo by Jessica Tampas.

Why is this cause important?

Women give so much to the world. They deserve every opportunity as men but they also need to be educated to have confidence, respect, and opportunities. The Tibetan Nuns Project provides the education and resources for these monastic women to go out into the world and help make it a kinder place. I also believe that having women educated in Buddhism brings a new perspective to what was once a male-dominated arena.

You’ve included a legacy gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project. What led you to that decision?

I’ve been supporting the organization in various ways for 27 years, that’s half my lifetime, so it made sense to me to include the Tibetan Nuns Project in my will.

“A legacy gift is important to me because I want to ensure the nuns are supported so they can carry out their mission and my ultimate goal of having a kinder world.” Jalene has returned to India many times to document the nuns’ progress. Here she is in 2017 with the Dolma Ling Media Nuns, Venerable Delek Yangdron and Venerable Delek Yangchen.

Was it difficult to include a charitable gift in your will?

Not at all. In fact, my lawyer asked me if I had any organizations I wanted to leave a legacy gift for. I opted to make it a percentage of my estate so that it won’t matter how much or how little I have, the Tibetan Nuns Project will still get something.

Why is a legacy gift important to you?

I want to ensure the nuns are supported so they can carry out their mission and my ultimate goal of having a kinder world. If my gift down the road can help make sure that happens, then it’s the least I can do. I want to know that I’ve created a legacy of my own.

Here is an 8-minute trailer of Jalene’s film Quiet Strength that tells the story of three Tibetan nuns and the historic education that converted their suffering into strength, their exile into opportunity, and their learning into transforming their lives.

What do you wish other people knew about the Tibetan Nuns Project?

It’s important to know the history, that nuns before exile did not have educational opportunities equal to men in Tibet. It was a different time and one positive that came out of their exiled situation is now there are nunneries and a formal education system for them. Now the nuns have this historic opportunity and they are making the most of it.

“I’ve been supporting the organization in various ways for 27 years, that’s half my lifetime, so it made sense to me to include the Tibetan Nuns Project in my will.”

Can you tell us about a personal experience with the nuns that is special to you?

I was fortunate enough to spend six weeks living in the guest house at Dolma Ling. I got to experience the nuns’ day-to-day life and a few things struck me. First, their dedication to their studies is impressive. They get up early for prayers, attend classes all day, do chores, and study. It is a full day but you never hear them complain. They are so grateful for the opportunity and are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. There is a strong sense of self-pride and pride in the Tibetan culture.

The other thing that struck me was their support of each other. They ask each other for help in shaving their heads, they help each other study. They really want their fellow nuns to succeed. There is an air of support not competition at the nunneries. All for one and one for all is felt.

Are you interested in leaving a Legacy of Compassion?

Jalene used a lawyer to draft her will but there are also free online services. If you are interested in leaving a legacy to help the Tibetan Buddhist nuns, please contact us at info@tnp.org and and visit our legacy page here. Our legal name and address is Tibetan Nuns Project, 815 Seattle Blvd. S. #418, Seattle, WA 98134 USA Ph: 206-652-8901 Email: info@tnp.org Web: tnp.org Tax ID number (US) 68-0327175

If you have already included a gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project, please let us know and we will send you an 8×10 print of Brian Harris’s iconic “Laughing Nuns” photo that he has generously given for legacy donors. See the photo and learn more here.