Tag Archives: Tibetan language

The Survival of Tibet’s Culture and Religion

For generations, Tibetan culture has been sustained through its language, spiritual traditions, monastic institutions, and the dedication of Buddhist practitioners. Part of the Tibetan Nuns Project’s mission is to sustain Tibetan religion and culture.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns lighting butter lamps

In March 2026, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, patron of the Tibetan Nuns Project, wrote, “I appeal to every Tibetan to take personal responsibility and make dedicated efforts to cherish and preserve our Tibetan religion, culture, and language” as part of his annual message for March 10th, Tibetan National Uprising Day. Photos by Brian Harris

Our work is taking place against a backdrop of cultural genocide in Tibet. For the third year in a row, Tibet has received a global freedom score of 0 from the international human rights monitoring group Freedom House. Tibet remains “not free,” and its score of zero ties South Sudan for the second-lowest on the list of 208 areas examined.

March 10th, Tibetan Uprising Day, Tibetan demonstrations, protests by Tibetan Buddhist nuns

Draped in the Tibetan flags, Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India take part in peaceful demonstrations to mark the anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, March 10th. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam

About 1 million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and placed into Chinese residential schools. Photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are banned, and celebrating his birthday can lead to arrest. Peaceful calls for religious freedom are punished with imprisonment under vague charges like “separatism” or “endangering state security”.

On July 1st, a sinister new Chinese law promoting linguistic, cultural, and ideological assimilation came into effect. Part of it mandates a “national common language” and prohibits any organization or individual from obstructing its dissemination. In practice, this may criminalize efforts by Tibetan communities to preserve and promote their own language in their own land.

Tibetan Buddhist nun practices Tibetan calligraphy

Preserving Tibet’s unique culture and religion is a service to the world. Your generosity helps protect a priceless heritage and empowers the women who are dedicating their lives to keeping it alive.

“The survival and identity of any people depends fundamentally on the preservation of their language,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in London. “Religion, culture, history, and collective memory are all preserved and transmitted through language. If a language disappears, the identity of that people gradually fades with it… With Tibetan children in Tibet being denied the right to learn their own language, we are approaching a critical threshold that threatens our existence as a distinct people in the world.”

Although we cannot directly change the situation inside Tibet, we can help Tibetans preserve their identity in exile.

Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week

The Central Tibetan Administration has declared the annual “Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week” to be observed from the fourth Wednesday of September through the following Wednesday. This year, the week runs from September 23 to September 30, 2026.

The week is part of a global campaign to confront and counter the Chinese Communist Government’s implementation of various methods and systematic policies aimed at eradicating Tibetan identity—specifically, its recently implemented so-called “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress.”

Tibetan Buddhist nun sewing Tibetan prayer flags

A Tibetan Buddhist nun sews prayer flags at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute. Our online store sells many Tibetan items made and blessed by the nuns.

It’s significant that the week runs from a Wednesday to a Wednesday because “White Wednesday” or Lhakar is the day the Dalai Lama was born and is known as his “soul day.” On Lhakar, Tibetans actively resist China’s occupation by supporting and promoting Tibetan culture, eating Tibetan food, wearing Tibetan clothing, speaking Tibetan and celebrating their Tibetan identity. Lhakar is about celebrating Tibetan culture and engaging in civil resistance.

So far, the governments of Canada, the United States, Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Czech Republic, Japan, and the European Union have issued official statements declaring that the Chinese law violates international law, serves as a tool for forced assimilation, and poses a risk of transnational repression.

Two Tibetan Buddhist nuns play the dungchen, Tibetan long horns

Nuns playing the dungchen, a long trumpet with a deep, low sound used to are played to welcome high lamas and Rinpoches to a monastery or temple. Photo by the Media Nuns.

The Tibetan language is the backbone of Tibetan culture and history and a mirror of the Tibetan people’s unique identity and traditions. It is the primary medium for expressing the Five Major Sciences—arts, medicine, grammar, epistemology, and Buddhist philosophy—and the Five Minor Sciences—poetry, lexicography, prosody, drama, and astrology. It is also a vast treasury for passing down Tibet’s history, politics, economy, military, society, and geography to future generations. It serves as a vital core for safeguarding social unity, collective rights, and the capacity to self-govern.

Geshemas teaching Tibetan children, compassion in action, Tibetan education, Dolma Ling

Wisdom and compassion. At Dolma Ling, Geshemas, nuns who hold the highest degree in their tradition, teach Tibetan refugee children how to read and write Tibetan during the school holidays. Photos by the Dolma Ling Media Nuns.

According to research by modern historians and linguists, the Tibetan script was created in the 7th century, modelled after the Gupta or Brahmi scripts prevalent in northern India. With a history spanning over 1,300 years, it is recognized as one of the world’s ancient languages with uninterrupted use.

The largest and most complete collections of Buddha’s teachings, Buddhist philosophy, epistemology, and psychology transmitted from India are found in the Tibetan language. Enriched by tens of thousands of volumes of treatises and commentaries, it has become a vital treasury housing crucial components of ancient Indian wisdom.

Studying the Tibetan language helps preserve and promote Tibet’s unique cultural heritage, benefiting all sentient beings. In line with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it helps us nurture individuals who can guide others along the path of non-violence and compassion and shoulder responsibility for the greater good of this world.

Nuns at Dolma Ling learn the sacred art of making Tibetan butter sculptures.

Calls to Action

Spread the word about what is happening inside Tibet
Sponsor a Tibetan Buddhist nun in India for $1 a day
Support our Higher Studies Fund to help more nuns become teachers and leaders during this critical time
Purchase Tibetan items made by nuns in our online store such as prayer flags, malas, kataks, incense, and our 2027 Tibetan Nuns Project calendar.

Tibetan Buddhist nun calligraphy photo by Tenzin Sangmo copy 2

A Tibetan Buddhist nun shows her calligraphy. Photo courtesy of Tenzin Sangmo.

Building Academic Excellence at Shugsep Nunnery

Shugsep Annual Tibetan Grammar Competition Day

The nuns at Shugsep Nunnery held their annual Tibetan grammar competition in November. The preservation of Tibet’s unique language and culture remains one of the most critical areas of focus for Tibetans, both inside Tibet and in exile.

Events like this enhance the nuns’ knowledge of various subjects, boost their confidence, encourage creativity, strengthen their communication skills, and provide the nuns with valuable practice in expressing their ideas clearly.

Quiz time Tibetan grammar Shugsep Nunnery

The annual Tibetan grammar competition at Shugsep Nunnery. Tibet has its own language, including a unique alphabet and various written forms. Tibetan calligraphy is beautiful, and there are numerous Tibetan writing styles.

These types of competitions are held in various subjects and topics, depending on the class level. They help the nuns become more comfortable speaking and writing in front of others, and they build a healthy sense of discipline and motivation.

The idea for this competition originated at a staff meeting, when some teachers suggested holding regular activities to enhance the nuns’ overall knowledge and, most importantly, to help build their confidence.

On November 8th, the nunnnery held a Tibetan Language Skills competition that included poem writing and application for the higher grades. The competition had questions such as “Write down five different proverbs,” “What are the elements needed to complete a composition?” and other Tibetan grammar questions.

Tibetan grammar competition Shugsep Nunnery, quiz time

The Tibetan alphabet has 30 characters or letters and four vowels. Like English, it is written from left to right in horizontal lines. Tibetan writing may be broadly divided into two types: “headed”, called Uchen, and “headless”, called Umeh. These two forms of Tibetan script correspond roughly to printed and cursive writing.

For the younger students, the activities included a reading competition and a spelling exam, where students were asked to write specific names or words.

Around 50 nuns participated, except for those who had already completed their Loponma degrees, roughly equivalent to a master’s degree. A panel of teachers scored the competitions and awarded prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Annual English Competition and The Alchemist

Here are some delightful photos taken by the nuns during the annual English competition held on December 6th at Shugsep. The event took place in the presence of Khenpo-la (the head of the nunnery) and all the teachers. They watched a lovely drama performed by the children and viewed many beautiful drawings created by the junior students.

It’s never easy standing up in front of your classmates, all your teachers, and your principal. It’s even more challenging when you have to speak a foreign language. Congratulations to all the nuns who took part in the annual English competition. The young nuns performed a drama.

The junior students created many beautiful drawings to reflect daily life at the nunnery and also the Year of Compassion, honouring the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Here are some of the drawings by the junior nuns at Shugsep. The nuns had to describe the images in English to the assembled crowd. This builds confidence and skills in English and public speaking. The picture on the left honors His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, and the middle picture is the “Four Harmonious Friends”, one of the Jataka tales of Buddhist mythology.

As part of the competition, the senior nuns wrote English poems and notices.

Shugsep is now home to about 100 nuns. The senior nuns are writing in front of their classmates and teachers as part of the annual English competition.

The nuns also spoke about the famous novel The Alchemist by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho. The book’s main theme is about finding one’s destiny.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns explaining The Alchemist

In this photo, two nuns are explaining the introduction of The Alchemist to the audience, highlighting the book’s strong and important vocabulary and philosophical concepts.

The Tibetan Nuns Project aims to elevate the educational standards and the position of women. As TNP’s Founding Director and Special Advisor Rinchen Khando Choegyal has said, “Educating women is powerful… It’s about enabling the nuns to be teachers in their own right and to take on leadership roles at a critical time in our nation’s history.”

Thank you for helping the nuns on their path!

Tibetan calligraphy and the Tibetan language

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Tibet has its own language, including a unique alphabet and various written forms. Tibetan calligraphy is beautiful and there are numerous Tibetan writing styles. This blog post showcases some of them.

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Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery in India take part in the annual Tibetan calligraphy competition. Photo courtesy of the Nuns’ Media Team.

The Tibetan alphabet has 30 characters or letters and four vowels. Like English, it is written from left to right in horizontal lines. The origins of Tibetan as a written language date back to the 7th century AD and the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. One of the king’s ministers, Thonmi Sambhota, is credited with creating the Tibetan alphabet. He and other scholars were sent by the king to India to study the art of writing with the aim of making the Buddhist teachings available to Tibetans.

Buddhism plays a central role in Tibetan culture. This is true for Tibetan writing as well. Many examples of Tibetan calligraphy come from religious texts. Most Tibetan scribes or experts in Tibetan calligraphy come from monastic backgrounds.

Here is a video of Tibetan Buddhist nuns practicing Tibetan calligraphy. Can’t see the video? Click here.

Traditionally, Tibetan nuns did not have access to the same level of education as monks. Now Tibetan nuns, such as those studying at the nunneries supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project, have the opportunity to learn their own written language and various forms of Tibetan calligraphy. This is groundbreaking because many of the nuns who escaped from Tibet and arrived in exile in India were completely illiterate on their arrival. Most of them couldn’t even write their names.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns writing on a chalkboard. The form of Tibetan script they are using is called Tsukring. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam.

Tibetan Calligraphy

Tibetan writing may be broadly divided into two types, “headed” called Uchen and “headless” called Umeh. These two forms of Tibetan script correspond roughly to printed and cursive writing.

Uchen (U-chen)

The most common script for Tibetan writing and the one used in printed books because of its clarity is called Uchen (དབུ་ཅན།). Uchen means “with head” and this form of Tibetan writing is basically printing.

The Uchen form of Tibetan writing has heavy horizontal lines (heads) and tapering vertical lines. For Tibetan students of all ages this is the the most basic form of both handwriting and calligraphy. Students, including the Tibetan Buddhist nuns, must master this form of writing before moving on to other styles.

A Tibetan Buddhist nun at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute writes a calligraphy exam. She is using Uchen (དབུ་ཅན།), the headed writing which is the same style of Tibetan script used in printed books for its clarity. Photo by the Nuns’ Media Team.

Unlike English, there is not a distinction in the Tibetan alphabet between capital letters and lowercase letters. There is only the one letter form in the printed form Uchen which is more like block printing. In fact, the Uchen form of Tibetan writing is used for wood block prints and on Tibetan prayer flags.

Umeh (Umê)

Another form of Tibetan writing is called Umeh (དབུ་མེད།) or “headless” form and this encompasses a range of different styles. Umeh is essentially cursive writing in various forms that may be used for inscriptions, formal letters, and correspondence. It looks quite different to Uchen because of the lack of the horizontal lines (heads) on top of the letters.

Nuns are taught and examined on Tibetan language and Tibetan calligraphy. In this exam paper, a Tibetan Buddhist nun demonstrates her skill and knowledge of Drutsa, a form of “headless” cursive writing that is used for formal purposes. Photo by the Nuns’ Media Team.

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Here are the words “Free Tibet” written in 4 styles of Tibetan calligraphy. The top is in Uchen, the printed form, followed by Tsukring, Paytsik, and Drutsa. At the bottom is the artist’s signature in Chuyig style. Photo and calligraphy by Tashi Mannox, Wikicommons.

There are many forms of Umeh writing, including:

Drutsa འབྲུ་ཚ། An artistic form of Tibetan calligraphy that is used for official documents and titles. With its long, tapered descending lines, Drutsa is both formal and more “flamboyant” that some other scripts.
Chuyig འཁྱུག་ཡིག། (also spelled Kyug’yig or Gyuk yig) means “fast letters” or “flowing script”. This form of cursive writing is used in day-to-day life for things such as informal handwritten notes and personal letters.

Tibetan calligraphy, Tibetan writing, calligraphy, Tibetan language, Tibetan culture, Tibetan Nuns Project, Shugsep Nunnery, drutsa script

This example of Tibetan calligraphy was pinned to a classroom bulletin board at Shugsep Nunnery. It was written by a nun in the Drutsa style of Tibetan writing. It says, “Even if one is not highly learned, if your handwriting is elegant like the shape of a fish, others will think you are highly learned, and therefore it is easy to write what you think and feel!”

What do Tibetan Buddhist nuns study?