Brief Biography
Tashi Delek! My name is Lobzang Chhodon. I was born in 1977 in Hansa village, in the District of Lahaul & Spiti in the northern part of the Indian
Himalayas. I am the daughter of Mr Aangdak Dorje and Mrs Chhering Angmo. My parents are farmers. I have four brothers and two sisters. I'm in number five among them. My youngest brother is a monk and other brothers and sisters has got married. I have many cousins.
From the age of six to thirteen I attended the Government senior secondary school in Hansa village. Where I learned Hindi, English and mathematics etc. In 1989 at the age of thirteen my parents sent me to Dharamsala with the senior Spiti nun Ven. Jangchup Norzin from Gaden Choling Nunnery, to become a nun. Ven. Jangchup helped me to look for a place in a nunnery, and I was given a golden opportunity to study Buddhist philosophy at Jamyang Choling Institute.
With the other nuns I learned the five major Buddhist philosophy texts from the great teachers Geshe Dhamchoe Gyaltsen la, (Director of IBD), Geshe Wangdak la, (ex-abbot of Namgyal Monastery), Geshe Tsultim Gyatso la, (Director of Jamyang Choling Institute), Geshe Gyatso la (Senior teacher of IBD) and many other teachers.
In 1990 I had the opportunity to take the ordained novice vows from His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama. In 1995 the first nuns' debate session (Jang-gonchoe), organized by the Tibetan Religious Department and the Tibetan Nuns' Project, was held at Gaden Choling nunnery. I was given an opportunity to participate in the first Jang-gonchoe and received a glorious chance to debate in front of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo (Founder of JCI) was very inspirational for us all, and she gave us many opportunities. In 2002 she invited me to attend the Sakyadhita International Women's Conference in Taiwan. This was a wonderful chance to meet many strong women from different countries.
In 2005 I discovered a swelling in my throat which was caused by a thyroid problem. After an operation to remove the swelling, I lost my voice for eight months. Eventually, after consulting Tibetan and Western doctors, I was given some exercises to do which restored my voice.
In 2006 I got an opportunity to attend the Vinaya Holder's Conference on the revival of the lineage of Bhikshuni ordination in Tibetan tradition organized by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala. In 2007 I participated in the International conference for Vinaya in Germany, and in 2009 I got an opportunity to attend the Mind and Life Conference in His Holiness The Dalai Lama�s palace in Dharamsala. Also in 2009 the opening ceremony for Jamyang Choling Institute (Gharoh) took place in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At this ceremony I received certificates from the Minister of the Tibetan Religious Department, after successfully completing the study of the five major Buddhist philosophy texts.
I was also given an opportunity to study modern science for a month each year for four years. This was organized by Emory University and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. In 2013. I was presented with the four year completion certificate in science by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. As well as my studies, as a senior nun of Jamyang Choling Institute I was able to serve as part of the administration team, as a member of the Board of Directors, Accountant (6 years), Cashier (3 years), Secretary (3 years) etc. These responsibilities helped me to gain a lot of experience and confidence, and taught me many new skills to complement those which I had learned from the Buddhist philosophy texts
In 2008 the kind guidance of Jamyang Choling's Abbot I did the first Tsok-lang (reciting religious discourse to the assembly at a special meeting) in the nunnery on the occasion of the Tibetan New Year for world peace. In 2009 at the request of the nunnery I taught Buddhist philosophy to the junior nuns for four years. In 2012 in the presence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, I had the opportunity to debate at the Monlam festival in the main temple, something which only monks had previously been able to do.
In 2013 with the kind advice of my teachers I joined the first ever Geshema examination course. In July 2016 the Geshema exams results were announced by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration. I successfully pass all the exams for the Geshema degree, the equivalent to a Doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. In December 2016 I received my Geshema degree from His Holiness The Dalai Lama at the great Monastery of Drepung in Mundgod, South India, in conjunction with the celebration of the monastery�s 600th anniversary.
During this journey of more than twenty five years there have been both good times and obstacles. The ongoing courage and support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, My teachers,Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo, parents, sponsors, friends, relatives have helped me to reach the Geshema. Without your support and guidance really I don't know where I'm today. Therefore, I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all these people.
I would like to say I will never lose you from my heart Jamyang Choling Institute! Without touching my awareness and senses, a lengthy more than 25 years has passed away from the first day I came to join this Institution. Within the ups and downs of those by gone times, Jamyang Choling changed me from the head to toe. It open my eyes to the world with the tools of non-violence knowledge and lighted up the ways with the candle of guidance. Healed my pains by love and brought smiles to my sorrowful face. From here, in this innovative education Institute, I found the direction of future and meaning of my life. And under its loving care, I grew up bright from dull and wise from fool. So, I love this Institute from my heart.
The introduction of the Geshema examination course has opened the way for younger nuns to be able to take their studies to a higher level. We the first Geshema will dedicate ourselves to supporting future generations of nuns. This will enable Jamyang Choling and other nunneries to continue to flourish and serve the world through the teachings of the Buddha. As His Holiness the Dalai Lama has stressed the importance of studying the classic texts composed by Nalanda masters and also often exhorted his followers to be a Buddhist of the 21st century said that he would prefer building learning centres than monasteries or temples. He pointed out that Buddhist practice is to use our intelligence to the maximum and transform our emotions.
The noble peace laureate also said, the 21st Century will be a peaceful time for the world, as long as people work together in a spirit of compassion, understanding and religious harmony. I pray that we will see the fulfilment of His Holiness' dreams. Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama and great teachers.
May all sentient beings be happy and may peace prevail on earth.
