We are very happy to share that Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute has successfully purchased a new vehicle that will make a huge difference in the daily lives of the over 300 nuns there. We sincerely thank all our generous donors for their patience, understanding, and support throughout the process of fundraising and the purchasing the vehicle.
Why a New Vehicle Was Needed
For many years, Dolma Ling used a Mahindra Bolero that was inherited from the Tibetan Nuns Project Office. The vehicle was purchased in 2012 and had been in regular use for more than ten years. As the vehicle became older, its maintenance costs increased, its resale value decreased, and it became increasingly hard to get replacement parts.
The Bolero was also too small for the nuns’ daily needs. It was uncomfortable when three people travelled in the back seat and did not have enough space for shopping, supplies, or other materials needed for the nunnery.
The nuns are deeply grateful for your support in purchasing the new vehicle which will have a huge impact on their daily lift and will make their daily trips safer and easier.
As Dolma Ling now manages its own administration independently, the vehicle is used almost every day by committee members for official work. It is used for daily shopping, collecting materials for maintenance and small projects, visiting banks and government offices, travelling to other nunneries, and taking nuns to hospitals during medical emergencies. With a resident driver stationed at Dolma Ling, the vehicle plays an essential role in the nunnery’s daily operations.
The roads around Dharamsala in the foothills of the Himalayas are hilly, challenging, and lack proper shoulders. During the heavy monsoon rains, there are landslides, cracks, flash floods, and debris on the roads. Because of the steep road leading to McLeod Ganj, especially during the monsoon season when road conditions become very poor, the nuns requested a Mahindra Scorpio. Its stronger engine, higher ground clearance, and larger seating capacity make it much safer and more suitable for these daily journeys.
The roads in and around Dharamshala are highly risky during the monsoon. Heavy rains frequently trigger landslides, flash floods, and debris on the roads. The new vehicle with its higher clearance and stronger engine will make it safer for the nuns.
The nunnery is located down in the Kangra Valley, almost a 40-minute drive from the center of the Tibetan exile community including the Tibetan Delek Hospital, the main temple where His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives teachings, and all the offices of the Central Tibetan Administration. There is no bus service and it is not possible or safe for the nuns to walk. The elevation gain on the journey from the nunnery to the temple is over 1,800 feet or 560 meters.
New vehicle 2026 for Dolma Ling Nunnery
Why the Purchase Was Delayed
Although the funds for the vehicle were raised over two years ago, the purchase could not be completed immediately. The main reason for the delay was the documentation and registration process required under Indian government regulations. Since the vehicle was being purchased for the nunnery institution, several legal documents and approvals had to be completed before the purchase could proceed. This process took much longer than expected.
Once all the required documentation was completed, the nuns followed Buddhist tradition by selecting an auspicious day to purchase and welcome the new vehicle to the nunnery. Before making the final purchase, members of the team visited the showroom together with the driver, who carefully inspected the vehicle, compared different models, and confirmed that the Mahindra Scorpio would best meet the nunnery’s needs in terms of safety, performance, and reliability.
Tibetan Buddhist nuns celebrate new vehicle for Dolma Ling Nunnery. The Mahindra Scorpio was welcomed to the nunnery with prayers and blessings on June 15th, the final day of the holy month of Saga Dawa.
The new vehicle was officially welcomed to Dolma Ling Nunnery on 15 June 2026 with traditional Buddhist prayers and blessing rituals. The ceremony was held in the presence of Tibetan Nuns Project Founding Director and Special Advisor, Rinchen Khando Choegyal, making the occasion especially meaningful for the nunnery community.
The blessing ceremony marked the beginning of the vehicle’s service to the nuns and reflected the Buddhist tradition of seeking prayers for safety, good fortune, and the wellbeing of all who travel in it.
Impact of the New Vehicle
The new Scorpio will make a significant difference to the daily life of the nunnery.
The larger and more comfortable vehicle will allow the nuns to travel safely while carrying supplies and equipment. It will provide dependable transport for official work, shopping, maintenance activities, and visits to banks, government offices, and other nunneries.
An aerial photo of Dolma Ling Nunnery which is in the foothills of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. The nunnery is home to over 300 nuns. The regions roads are steep and treacherous.
The vehicle will also be much better suited for driving on the steep, winding mountain roads and during the monsoon season. This will give the nuns greater confidence and safety while travelling.
We are deeply grateful to all our donors for their generosity, patience, and trust. Your support has made it possible for Dolma Ling Nunnery to purchase a vehicle that will serve the community for many years. It will improve the daily lives, safety, and well-being of the nuns for the future.
Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity!
