Sponsorships for Nuns and Monks from Tibetan
cloister schools in India and Nepal.
Tibetan Cloister schools in exile have a very important role to play. It is thanks to
them that the Buddhist philosophy and religion can preserve its essence. Even today, it
is mostly the ordained and the learned who pass on the teachings. The students in these
schools without exception also study the subjects taught in regular schools and most of
them later enroll in the large Cloister universities.
During the past year we have formed contacts with the following monasteries:
Daily work
India
Jamyang Choling Institute, Dharamsala, India (Code=JCI)
The nunnery was founded in 1988 near Dharamsala by the honorable Karma Lekshe Tsomo (an
American Buddhist Nun). At present, 76 nuns (age 13-48) are living there. They come
from different regions in the Himalayas. In the first year the nuns learn Tibetan,
English and Hindustani. They also learn how to prepare healthy, vegetarian meals. They
take part in the daily ceremonies. The nunnery offers a solid and innovative education.
This allows the nuns to practice teaching, to become spiritual guides or to work in the
health sector in out of the way Himalaya regions.
Coordinator: Beatrice Güdel (beatriceguedel@bluewin.ch)
Novices and nuns of JCI
Sherab Choling Institute, Village Morang, Spiti, Indien (Code=SCI)
The nunnery was built singlehandedly in 1995 by 20 nuns and their teacher with the
intent of addressing the problem of the inadequate education of women in Asia. The
nunnery is very secluded and lies in the Village of Morang (between Manali and Tabor)
at 4,000 meters altitude. There is a main building, a prayer hall, a classroom, an
office, a kitchen and a storeroom. Today 40 nuns and novices between 10 and 59 years
live there. They study Buddhist logic and philosophy as well as Tibetan and English.
These nuns become role models for other girls and in this way help preserve and pass on
their cultural roots.
Coordinator: Beatrice Güdel (beatriceguedel@bluewin.ch)
The Institute at Spiti
Tibetan Nuns Project - Dolma Ling and Shugsep Nunneries, Dharamsala, Indien (Code=NU)
The Tibetan Nuns' Project was initiated in 1987 under the guidance of the Tibetan
Women's Association and the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan
Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At present an average of 500 nuns live
there in 5 separate nunneries. Cloister Geden Choeling (150 Nuns; Gelugpa tradition),
Tilokpur (Kagyu tradition), Dolma Ling (140 Nuns; open towards all traditions), Shugsep
(50 Nuns; Nyingma tradition) and the Sakya Cloister in Dehra Dun (Sakya tradition). The
education one receives includes Tibetan culture and Buddhist philosoph, Tibetan,
English and much more.
Coordinator: Beatrice Güdel (beatriceguedel@bluewin.ch)
Shugsep nuns
Nepal
Manjushri De-Chen Learning Center, Pharping, Kathmandu, Nepal (Code=MDS)
The Manjushri Di-Chen Learning Center was founded in 1996, by Ven. Dhubthob Rinpoche,
born 1929 in Tibet, near the Tara Temple in Pharping. Today the school is home to 47
monk/students between the ages of six to 18. Many of them are coming from very poor
families in the surrounding.
The exacting curriculum of the school attempts to preserve the Tibetan Culture and
religion (through teaching subjects such as, philosophy, logic, debate, and Tibetan
calligraphy, while also transmitting fundamental skills such as mathematics, reading,
writing, Tibetan, Nepalese, English and social studies. Students from the Manjushri
Di-Chen School may attend the Drepung Loselling Monastery or other large cloister
universities in India after having completed their basic education.
Coordinator: Verena Beuchat (verena.beuchat@bluewin.ch)
Teaching at MDS
PEMA TS'AL SAKYAPA Cloister in Hyamja (near Pokhara), Nepal (Code=PTS)
Young monks from the Kingdom of Mustang. Your contribution will cover the costs of
living (food, clothing, hygene and healthcare) as well as education.
Coordinator: Martin Zurbrügg (tinytini68@bluewin.ch)
View at the monastry buildings
