Tashi Delek and sincere greetings from Jamyang Choling Institute Nunnery at Dharamshala. We wish you all very good health and a prosperous year in well-being and happiness.
General Information
In 2022, there were 145 students and 7 teachers, a total of 152 at JCI. The students ranged in age from 12 to 65 and came from various parts of the Himalayan region, including Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, Ladakh, Zanskar, Garhwal, Bhutan, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal and Tibet. There were also a few international students.
The Institute continued to deliver its program requiring over 17 years of intense study to complete. Completion is equivalent to a program of study required for a Masters degree in Buddhist philosophy. The program covers mainly Buddhist philosophy including meditation and Tibetan.In the 21st century, it has advanced to include English, computers and modern Science. Our studies are based on faith and logic and our methods aim to reflect the Buddha’s teaching on compassion and friendship.
Classes and Educational Activities:
These are held from Monday to Saturday. Sunday is a holiday, allowing the nuns to clean the Institute's campus and wash their clothes. Classes are held from March to June and August to January. There is a summer break during the month of July and winter break in February. During these times, students may visit their families or do self study and practice at JCI. There is a semester 1 examination at the end of June and an annual final examination at the end of January.
In 2022, we had nine different class levels:
- 4th batch 11 nuns completed the 17 year course.
- 5th batch also completed the 17yearcourse and are currently preparing for participation in the PhD Geshema exam in 2024.
- 6th batch completed Abhidharma- Metaphysic classes, and will start Ethical Discipline – Vinaya.
- 7th batch completed the six year course in the Perfection of Wisdom and started Madhymaka- the Middle Way- Uma.
- 8th batch completed the 5th year of Perfection of Wisdom studies- Prajnaparamital Parchin.
- 9th batch are learning Dusdra and Loring and preliminary Buddhist philosophy practices of debate. They completed their course and final examination results were satisfactory
Administration
Jamyang Choling Institute elected a Board of Directors and Executive Committee (see listed) Elections took place June 3, 2021and the positions were maintained in 2022
7th July, 2022 Jamyang Choling Institute Nunnery celebrated the inauguration of our new Abbot, Geshe Tsering Nyarna la, from Drepung Loseling Monastery, (Narye Khamtsan) south India.
The Board is made up of the Abbot and the Executive Committee of senior and junior nuns.
- Geshe Tsering Nyarna (Abbot)
- Geshe ma Tenzin Deden (Senior cashier)
- Geshe ma Tenzin Zangmo (Senior accountant)
- Geshema Rinchen Pal (Junior accountant)
- Ven. Choeying Zangmo (Junior cashier)
- Ven. Tenzin Chodon (General Secretary)
- Ven. Karma Dolma (Assistant Secretary)
The seven member Board of Directors takes full responsibility for the management of Jamyang Choling Institute. The Board holds a meeting every three months to discussadministration, education, health care, problem solving, and decision making as well as planning for the Institute's future. Jamyang Choling Institute is unique and among the first Buddhist women's educational projects to be fully managed and administered by its own community of nuns.
Graduating Nuns
In 2009, His Holiness advised our nuns to study continuously, work hard, and eventually return to different regions of the Himalayas where most of them come from in order to serve other nunneries and the people thereby teaching and sharing what they have learned at Jamyang Choling Institute. Nuns who leave the nunnery on completion of their 17 years endeavour to follow his advice.
Some have chosen to give service in other communities, such as giving Dharma teachings online or giving lessons abroad. One has pursued a PhD in English at Delhi University. Another Ven. completed studies as a Tibetan Medical Doctor and is now working in that field. Some senior nuns who completed their education are now teaching in village schools while others have returned to help supervise their home nunneries. Some have chosen to volunteer as teachers of Dharma to village people. Some nuns are undertaking teacher training at Sara College, Dharamsala.
Many of our nuns wish to stay in retreat. So far, we do not have retreat rooms, therefore it is a bit difficult to manage but still many nuns choose to stay in retreat for a short period and also for longer periods.
We are deeply blessed and grateful to His Holiness for imparting precious teachings and lectures to us and would like to thank him from bottom of our hearts. All has gone well under the blessing and guidance of HHDL and our Dharma friends and well–wishers from all around the world.
Participation in External Activities:
Emory Tibet Science Initiative May 9 to June 11, 2022-Ven. Tenzin Mentok,Ven. Choeying Lhamo, Ven. Tenzin Petsal, Ven. Jinpa Tharchin Gurung, Ven. Tenzin Ningchat, Ven. Tsering Drema, Ven. Tsering Yangdon, Ven. Tsering Yangchin, Ven. Tsering Lhamo, Ven Lobsang Tseyang, Ven. Tenzin Chozom(B) and Ven. Tenzin Norzom participated in the Emory Tibet Science Initiative at Drepung Loseling Monastery, South India. This is the third Summer Intensive program held with Emory University, USA.
From September 9, 2022 to March, 2023Ven. Rinchen Lhamo also participated in ETSI (Emory Tibet Science Initiative) at Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Library of Tibetan Works &Archives Intensive Translation - July 14 to October 14,2022 Ven. Choying Dolma, and Ven. Karma Kunsang had the opportunity to participate in LTWA Intensive Translation (ITP) for threemonths, organised by LTWA administrative office.
Nuns Science Course, LTWA September 15to October 7, 2022 Ven. Tenzin Youdon, Ven.Thupten Lhadon,Ven.Tsering Yangskit, Ven.Tenzin Choeying,Ven. Lobsang Dolma (B) Ven.Rigzin Dolma and Ven.Tenzin Choenyi had the opportunity to participate in Nuns Science leading course, organised by Library of Tibetan Works & Archives.
Mind and Life Conversation October 12 to 13,2022 Geshe ma Tenzin Deden and Geshema Tenzin Zangmo participatedin the Mind & Life Conversation at the residence of His Holiness, Mcleod Ganj.
India International Center 20 December, 2022 Geshema Tenzin Lhadron and Geshe ma Lobsang Chodron attended the Governor Council of Indian Himalayan Buddhist Traditions meeting at India International Center in Delhi.This involved developments concerning Nalanda Buddhist Traditions, Bharti Protection and Nalanda Buddhism in the Trans Himalayan region.
Geshema Degree: Before joining the final four years of Geshema examinations we have to complete at least 17 years of Buddhist philosophies in the five major texts (Perfection of Wisdom sutra/ Parchen, Madhymika / Middle Way, Parmana / Logic, Abhidharma/Dharmkirtis Parmanavrtiks and Vinaya Doulwa Hoeden) and languagestudy in our respective individual
Nunnery Institutions. The degree will open avenues of employment and opportunity to the nuns.In 2013, we were very happy that thefirstGeshema exam was hosted by Jamyang Choling Institute. Six of our nuns gained the first Geshe-ma degree sin 2016.
Second Batch August 1,2022 nine nuns from Jamyang Choling Institute participated for the PhD Geshma exam which was hosted byGaden Choling Nunnery at Mcleod Ganj.
Ven. Pema Angmo Gurung, Ven.Yanchen Dolma (B), Ven.Tsering Chodon, Ven Tenzin Pema, Ven.Karma Wangmo, Ven.Tenzin Dolkar, Ven. Kalzang Youdon, Ven.Rinchen Dolkar and Ven.Nyima Yangzi
Jamchoe / Nuns Annual Debate: October 17 to November 18, 2022 thirty nuns with two teachers Geshe Konchok Jinpa and Geshema Lobsang Chodron attended the annual nun's debate at Bodhgaya. This is always a wonderful and exciting opportunity for nuns to share knowledge and wisdom. It also deepens our understanding of Buddhist reasoning and logic. We offer our deepest, respectful and heartfelt thanks toour kind hearted teachers who have always been sources of strength and inspiration.
Accommodation
Although we have been able to make great progress educating the nuns, we facedsome financial difficultiesin 2022. Numbers of nuns and lay students approached our office to seek admission but we have a shortage of accommodation. We also need to build a roofed debate yard.
The main issue Girls and young women continue to apply to join our nunnery. Many come from very isolated areas where they cannot access a good education or facilities. Also, many come from poor villages and some have difficult family circumstances. Many young people from Himalayan communities and the Tibetan exile community take a special interest in learning the Buddha Dharma and would like to take up the spiritual education and life offered in our nunnery.
We would like to expand our accommodation so that we can offer more places but there are not enough living quarters to house all our students. Normally there are two nuns to a room.
Bathroom and toilet facilities are communal. At present, in some rooms three nuns are sharing and this is very cramped as the rooms are not big anyway.
Our Present Plan: Our plan is to construct a three-storied building which will have 42 rooms. This could provide living quarters for up to 80 nuns. Communal bathroom facilities would be included.
Future plans Roofed Debate Yard: Jamyang Choling nunspractise debate, their primary learning method, for two sessions a day. Currently they have three hours when they do their debate practice outside on the grass. During the rainy season they are unable to continue with their debates outdoors and so their studies are affected. We would like to build a roofed debate area so the nuns can practice debate during the monsoon. A covered area would also provide protection from heat and sun in summer.
Appeal
We need considerable funds to cover basic living expenses as well as education and medical care, teachers' salaries and debates. It is an ongoing struggle to find sufficient funds, and any donations or sponsorships are greatly appreciated.The sponsorship of one nun's basic living expenses is US $365 per year. Donations can also be made for specific purposes such as the new building project, education, living expenses, medical care,repair and so on.
It is our sincere and genuine hope that you will be able to continue to provide us with financial assistance and we would appreciate your assistance in telling your interested friends about our mission and our needs. Your contributions make it possible for more sincere nuns and lay people to benefit from authentic Dharma study and practice.
We thank all our friends and supporters for your generous and caring support for our educational program, which we value so much. We are also grateful to those who have donated their time and energy to our nunnery, and to those who have encouraged and appreciated our work.
Your support is indispensable for our ongoing success, and we give thanks and prayers for the well being of all our supporters and friends each day.
We wholeheartedly thank you for your continuing support of Jamyang Choling Institute.
Yours sincerely,
With many Tashi Delek,
Tenzin Chodon/Nun
General Secretary
On behalf of Jamyang Choling Institute nuns
