Brief Biography
My name is Tenzin Deden. I was born in village called Kanam Kinnaur in H.P State of India. My parents are farmers and they are in eighties.
I have two brothers and three sisters. I am the eldest one. I went to an Indian school up to class five. When I was 17 years old I became a nun joined the Tashi Choling Nunnery which is Located in our village.
In 1985 I went to attend the Kalacharakra initiation in BodhGaya and there ten of us were fortunate to be ordained from His Holiness Dalai Lama in such a holy place where the Buddha gets enlightenment. Then I and my friend Tenzin Zangmo decided to go to learn Tibetan language in Dharamsala. Therefore we wrote letter to our relative nun in Gander Choling Nunnery in Dharamsala. We asked her to find place for us to learn Tibetan there. There was no vacancy for new students in her nunnery at that time. Then she requested Bikushin Karma Lekshe Tsomo fortunately she accepted her request and enrolled us in Jamyang Choling In 1988.
My aim was to study Tibetan language for only three years at Jamyang Choling Nunnery. Ven. Karma Lekse Tsomo arranged Tibetan language teacher from IBD Gen Shedup Tenzin used to teach in the afternoon. The rest of the day we used to memorize the prayers. We were the first nuns at Jamyang Choling Nunnery. In 1989 there were more nuns entailed in Jamyang Choling . Then she arrange Buddhist Philosophy teacher Gen Gyatso la from IBD, Kunsur Geseh Wangduk la from Namgal Monastery and Geshe Damchoe Gyaltsen la from IBD taught us since then.
I studies 17 years long course included preliminary Buddhist philosophy and debate collective topic Duda, Loring, Drubtha and five major texts. They are prjhaparamita, Madyamika, Logice, Abidhamaksa,Parmana and Vinaya, every year we had oral and written exams. The studies were extremely difficult to understand but our teachers often give us advice which encourages us to continue our studying. It makes change my life. I will never and ever forget their great kindness. They gave us new eyes to aspair Buddha hood.
In 1995 I participated in nuns Jang kunchoe debate contest winter session debate among all the nunneries. It was very helpful to improve and share knowledge with nuns from different nunneries. Also I participated in several Sakyadhita conferences for Buddhist women in Thailand, Taiwan and Malaysia. I met many interesting people from different traditition. It was a very wonderful chance to share each other knowledge and experience.]
In 2013 I had the opportunity to study for the Geshema degree program. I thought if I could further I would get deeper knowledge about the five major texts, this would be beneficial for me in seeing a good example for younger nuns in the future. When I started the Geshema studies in first year it was so difficult and I was very nervous. I worked very hard day and night. There were so many obstacles and difficulties came for me. Then I thought about a tiny plant like alovera I look after it very careful it grow big plant. If I studies hard one day I get successful. I also think about a verse by Shantideva, Nothing is difficulty in reality if one accustomed to any objects. I put that example myself and continue to do it.
Finally I completed the course I was so happy. It was like a dream. In the future I will think to help young nuns and lay people about Buddha Dharma. I am also thinking to help our new generation to introduce Buddha Dharma,it is important for our home area. I am afraid that it could be lost one day. I think we will try to keep a life.
With folded hand I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to His Holiness the Dalai Lama,all of my teachers, supporters and Jamayng Choling Institute for giving me the precious opportunity to gain the Gehsema degree thank you very much!
"As long as spaces remain,
As long as sentient beings remain,'
May I remain (in this world) and eliminate the suffering of sentient beings''
Geshema Tenzin Deden Jamyang Choling Nunnery April 7th .2017
