Life of Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery near Dharamsala
Summary
TLDRThis video describes the Dhamma Ling Institute, a serene nunnery established in 1991 for Tibetan nuns seeking freedom to practice and study Buddhism. Located amidst scenic landscapes, it is home to over 200 nuns from Tibet, Ladakh, and even Western countries. The nunnery provides education in traditional Buddhist philosophy, modern skills, and crafts. Facilities include a library, guesthouse, and medical clinic. The nuns also engage in debate, religious art, and community service. Their rigorous schedule is centered on spiritual growth and study, fostering an environment of dedication, discipline, and learning.
Takeaways
- 🏫 The institute was established in 1991 to provide education and religious freedom to nuns who fled Tibet.
- 👩👩👧👧 It is home to over 200 nuns from Tibet, Himalayan regions, Ladakh, and even Western countries.
- 🌾 The institute is set in a serene environment, surrounded by fields, gardens, and mountains, with a peaceful atmosphere ideal for spiritual practice.
- 📚 The institute boasts a well-stocked library with books in multiple languages, offering access to vast knowledge for the nuns.
- 🛠️ The nuns engage in income-generating activities, such as running a shop and making handicrafts like wall hangings and bags.
- 🐄 The institute maintains cows for milk production, and the nuns help manage the gardens, waste disposal, and kitchen.
- 🧑⚕️ A well-equipped medical clinic is available, with trained health worker nuns providing care and consultation with Tibetan doctors.
- 📜 The nuns study a non-sectarian traditional Tibetan Buddhist curriculum, including philosophy, language, and religious arts.
- 📖 Debate is a key part of the education, fostering understanding of Buddhist teachings through analytical discussion and intellectual engagement.
- 🕉️ The institute provides a structured daily schedule with prayers, classes, study sessions, and hands-on work, allowing the nuns to grow spiritually and intellectually.
Q & A
When was the institute established, and for what purpose?
-The institute was established in 1991 to meet the needs of nuns who fled Tibet in search of the freedom to study and practice their religion.
How many nuns currently reside at the institute, and where do they come from?
-The institute is home to over 200 nuns from Tibet, the Himalayan regions of Kinnaur, Spiti, and Ladakh, as well as some from Western countries.
What are some of the notable features of the institute's surroundings?
-The institute is set in a serene, clean area surrounded by wheat and rice fields, with views of mountains, landscaped gardens, and an abundance of flowers and trees that attract birds.
What role did the nuns play in the construction of the institute?
-Construction began in 1991 and was completed in 2005. The nuns helped in various ways during the building process.
What makes the institute's library special?
-The library contains a wealth of information, including books in languages such as English, German, Chinese, Spanish, and Tibetan. The Tibetan texts are stored traditionally and are available to anyone who wishes to extend their knowledge.
What are some of the income-generating enterprises run by the nuns?
-The nuns run a small shop for basic needs and a tailoring section where they make items like wall hangings, bags, and prayer flags. These items are sold in the institute's handicraft store.
How does the institute support the health and well-being of the nuns?
-The institute has a medical clinic with trained health worker nuns. They hold evening health checks and refer complex cases to the Tibetan Delek Hospital. The nuns also care for 13 cows that provide milk for the kitchen.
What educational opportunities are available to the nuns at the institute?
-The nuns engage in a complete traditional Buddhist study program, with qualified teachers from three of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. They study various subjects like grammar, philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy.
What role does debate play in the nuns' education?
-Debate is a key method used for gaining a thorough understanding of Buddhist teachings. It involves the nuns asking and answering philosophical questions, often with lively gestures and interaction.
How do the nuns manage the institute’s daily operations?
-The nuns are involved in all aspects of daily life, from preparing food and making bread and tofu to managing waste, growing vegetables, and maintaining the gardens. They also take care of their cows, ensuring a self-sustaining environment.
Outlines
🏞️ Establishment and Serene Environment of the Nunnery
The nunnery, established in 1991, provides a sanctuary for over 200 nuns from Tibet, the Himalayan regions, and even some Western countries. Set in a peaceful area surrounded by wheat and rice fields, it features beautifully landscaped gardens, streams, and an environment that fosters inspiration. Construction began in 1911 and finished in 2005, with the nuns actively helping. The buildings are well-designed, with a central courtyard and a temple that serves as the focal point for study and worship. The library is a valuable resource containing texts in Tibetan and other languages, supporting the nuns in their spiritual journey.
📚 Educational Opportunities and Non-Sectarian Teachings
Thanks to efforts like the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Dalai Lama’s support, Tibetan nuns now have full access to traditional Buddhist education, which was previously limited. The nuns follow a carefully structured, non-sectarian curriculum with qualified teachers from three of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The nuns wake up early to study religious texts and participate in morning rituals, praying for the long life of the Dalai Lama and a peaceful day. The temple features inspiring hand-painted thangkas, and the nuns memorize scriptures and perform prostrations as part of their daily spiritual practice.
📖 Rigorous Study and Daily Life at the Nunnery
The nuns engage in morning philosophy classes, studying grammar, religious philosophy, poetry, history, and Tibetan calligraphy. They also learn Tibetan and English, utilizing modern classroom setups. Practical responsibilities such as preparing meals, managing waste, and maintaining gardens are also integral to their day. The nuns use the library to expand their knowledge and practice religious arts like constructing sand mandalas and butter sculptures. Computer literacy is encouraged, with many learning word processing and design. Debate is an essential part of their education, sharpening their understanding of Buddhist teachings through lively and structured exchanges.
🤝 The Importance of Debate in Buddhist Education
Debates are a key component of the nuns' education, held in the courtyard after tea. This intense intellectual exercise involves pairs of nuns, one standing and questioning while the other responds. Gestures play a significant role, with participants using claps and body language to emphasize points. If necessary, a teacher may intervene to resolve a debate. Debating in groups encourages a healthy competition that drives deeper understanding of texts, while the atmosphere remains light with moments of laughter. After debates, the nuns have a light supper and continue their studies, memorizing texts late into the evening.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Tibetan nuns
💡Dharma
💡Nunnery
💡Buddhist study program
💡Debate
💡Mandala
💡Thangka
💡Philosophy classes
💡Cows
💡Bodhisattva
Highlights
The Institute was established in 1991 to provide Tibetan nuns with the freedom to study and practice their religion.
Over 200 nuns from Tibet, the Himalayan regions, and even Western countries reside at the institute, including a few lay women.
The serene environment is surrounded by wheat and rice fields, landscaped gardens, and frequented by birds, creating an inspiring atmosphere for study.
Construction of the nunnery began in 1991 and was completed in 2005, with the nuns contributing to the building process.
The central courtyard serves as the main hub of the nunnery, with a temple, lecture hall, library, classrooms, dining hall, and kitchen.
The library is notable for its extensive collection of texts in multiple languages, including Tibetan, English, German, Chinese, and Spanish.
The nunnery operates income-generating enterprises, such as a handicraft store where nuns make and sell items like wall hangings and prayer flags.
A guesthouse, phone booth, and internet café provide facilities for visitors and help connect the nuns to the outside world.
The institute is home to 13 cows, which provide milk for the nuns and help maintain the gardens and fields.
A medical clinic staffed by trained nuns provides healthcare services, including Tibetan medicine consultations.
Thanks to efforts by the Tibetan Nuns Project and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the nuns can now engage in a complete Buddhist study program.
The nuns follow a non-sectarian curriculum supported by philosophy teachers from three of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Traditional Tibetan debate is a key part of the educational program, fostering critical thinking and deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy.
The nuns also engage in religious arts such as sand mandalas and butter sculptures, honing their artistic and spiritual skills.
The daily routine includes morning and evening prayers, prostrations, classes in various subjects, and debates, all contributing to the nuns’ spiritual and academic growth.
Transcripts
normally Institute was established in
1991 to meet the needs of the many nuns
who have fled Tibet in search of the
freedom to study and practice their
religion it is now home to over 200 nuns
from Tibet the Himalayan regions of keen
are speedy and Ladakh and even some from
Western countries a few lay women who
want to study the Dharma also live here
darling is set in a serene and clean
area surrounded by wheat and rice fields
with wonderful yields up towards the
mountains
we have beautiful landscaped gardens in
which so many flower school it seems
they are competing among themselves
birds love this place because it is a
green oasis of trees and plants the
building of a small stream running
toilet worms windows with the sound of
the months memorizing the Scriptures
such an environment preference and
inspires
construction began in 1911 and is
completed in 2005 the non stem cells
helped in whatever way they could in the
building of the male the buildings are
beautifully designed for the central
courtyard which is the main hub of the
nunnery the focal building is our temple
which contains our career path a lecture
hall and the library the classrooms
enjoy the main culture and the dining
hall and kitchen are the lower end the
library is a very special part of Dublin
you won't find many memories or
monasteries that provide such a wealth
of information right at your fingertips
we have blessed to have such easy access
to so many books there are many
languages represented here including
English German English Chinese Spanish
and of course Tibetan
the library shelves are stacked with the
Tibetan text stored in the traditional
way and available to anyone who needs to
extend their knowledge
it is an inspiring atmosphere for the
months to study room
we have several income generating
enterprises that raise funds for of nuns
and provide them with experience of
basic organizational skills
they operate a small shop for the basic
needs
there is a telling section in which non
tropes wall hangings bags real flags are
made those items are on sale in our
small handicraft store
there is also a guesthouse for visitors
who want to stay in this peaceful
environment
a phone booth and internet cafe provide
the nuns with access to the world an
important responsibility at da Molly is
taking care of our 13 happy healthy cows
so they produced the wholesome milk that
is used in the kitchen they efficiently
keep the grass at bay while producing
the menu required to make the gardens
flourish we have a well appointed
medical clinic with trained health
worker nuns taking care of anyone who is
sick or injured the health workers hold
a cleaning every evening treating the
straightforward cases and referring the
complicated ones to the Tibetan Delic
hospital doctors nuns who wish can
consolidate abettin medical doctors and
this way a comprehensive system of
health care is provided for the nuns
until recently in the history of the
world women have not been given the same
opportunities to study as men by the
grace of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
the efforts of the Tibetan nuns project
among others it is not possible for
Tibetan nuns to engage in a complete
traditional Buddhist study program
efforts are also being made for the nuns
to obtain the highest automation in
Dhamma Ling they are provided with full
study facilities and the best possible
qualified teachers
the traditional Tibetan patrol has been
carefully worked out to be non-sectarian
and with the help of the psychic college
near Dehradun and the NEMA Institute in
belukha P we now have philosophy
teachers from three of the four schools
of Tibetan Buddhism these beautiful
hand-painted Tonka's depict the scholars
of ancient india who provided the path
to higher learning that is studied in
Tibetan monastic institutions they hang
in the dominant prayer hall as a source
of inspiration for the nuns as the
studies are rooted in their profound
works it is said that the rooster crow
harassed the coming of the dawn but here
the nuns wake up well before the dawn to
memorize the religious texts we are
studying
some months perform early-morning
prostrations inside the temple as an
offering and purification as the great
scholars say the beginning and ending of
a task are the most essential so the
first part is done
they are called to morning prayers they
file into the Hall in order of seniority
during the three prostrations there are
traditional when first entering a
Tibetan temple his Holiness the Dalai
Lama stone dominates the central
position a large applicate hanka behind
depicts Sakyamuni Buddha with a
Bodhisattva of compassion Avalokitesvara
on the right and the female Bodhisattva
Tara on the left
Ananse pray for His Holiness long life
and for a good and peaceful day for all
sentient beings in the adjacent small
chapel nuns perform a daily ritual to
palden bamboo tea and bread are served
as breakfast during the prayers sunrise
sees the months again memorizing text
and preparation for the classes ahead
this time taking advantage of the fresh
clear air in the gardens and fields
morning assembly is held at 6:45 in the
summer and 7:45 in winter the nuns
gather in the courtyard lining up by
classes along with the teachers and
recite the morning prayers
I selected none reads her thoughts for
the day either in English or in Tibetan
addresses the nuns making announcements
and encouraging them to study hard today
the assembly ends with it
yeah
classes go on all morning the philosophy
classes are seated in the traditional
style with the teachers and students
sitting cross-legged on mattresses with
low tables for their books traditional
subjects include grammar religious
philosophy poetry history composition
and handwriting
Adama wing the nuns pay great attention
to perfecting and preserving tibetan
calligraphy the nuns also study Tibetan
and English language in these classrooms
they have tables and chairs and make
full use of the blackboard
the teachers are all very dedicated and
the nuns study very hard and sincerely
throughout the year
they gain great satisfaction from doing
well in their exams when the lunchtime
bell rings everyone goes to the dining
hall where the main mean of the tea is
served food is prepared in the kitchen
by the nuns themselves they make their
own bread tofu curd and all the milk
that is needed in the nunnery is
produced by the dominant cows they also
take care of the garbage segregating the
waste that can be fed to the cows from
that which must go onto the compost and
the dry recycle waste for that which
must be burnt a carefully worked out
system is an operation and everybody is
involved in making sure it works
in the afternoon while some are in the
classrooms are the classes work in the
fields and do gardening great effort is
put into growing vegetables as well as
developing and maintaining the borders
and pod gardens along the verandas
during study sessions the nuns can go to
the library where books can be borrowed
and are checked out by a librarian
months the nuns also roam the religious
arts such as constructing sand mandalas
and butter sculpture this is a nearly
complete sand mandala such an
achievement represents hours of
dedicated training butter sculptures are
made for particular rituals as well as
for the Tibetan New Year in the computer
room the nuns study how to use computers
many are not proficient in word
processing and Photoshop and they
produce their own magazine annually
traditional Tibetan Buddhist education
relies heavily on debates a method used
to gain a thorough understanding of the
Buddhist teachings it is one of the most
important and interesting sessions of
the non state gathering in the courtyard
after tea the nuns recite the
preparatory prayers together they then
each choose a partner and find a place
to sit in each of the pairs of plants
one Stanley and the other is sitting the
standing man initiates the topic to be
debated from the philosophical text
studied earlier that day gestures are a
crucial part of the debate process the
sitting man is responsible for a quick
and sharp response
if the Citiz answer is satisfactory the
standard moves on to the next question
if not the standard will make a gesture
similar to a hungry crocodile slapping
is just lovely smacking her hands
together
each lump has her own style of copy Asha
seeks an analytical and in-depth
explanation from the sitter some
standards lunge other sitter
as she claps her hands together while
another may stand back and impatiently
clap lightly some standards & schuster
face while waiting for a response and
others stare intensely using eye contact
as a recommend some allow a few moments
for methodical talks while others demand
and immediate response if the sitter
speaks softly then the standard has to
crouch in to listen as the intensity
heightens that enthusiasm gets louder if
the Citiz answer is absolutely off
target a standard will use the same
clapping gesture but with the palm
facing up the tune will dwell a while
longer and if there is still no
resolution the teacher is called over to
give a final verdict the air is thick
with intensity of smiles and even some
laughter ripples through the courtyard
sometimes the months of debate in the
groups rather than pass there is
confidence in numbers and in this way
the weak learn from the strong debate
pushes everyone to study and try to
really understand the meaning of the
text Tibetan debate is a healthy
competition that creates thoughtful and
articulate scholars
debate is followed by a light supper and
then the monks fight back into the Hall
for the evening prayer where the evening
prayers are finished they go back to
their books and complete the day's
homework the majority of the time is
spent studying and memorizing the life
of a nun is many things including a
strict schedule and routine that
requires diligence and a sense of inner
guidance they are committed to being
good students and good nuns so when the
time comes they will be able to help
those in need by teaching debating
learning reciting and sharing the words
of Buddha for the good of all sentient
beings
you
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