Visit to Tenzin Palmo's Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery

New gompa under construction

Right after being ordained by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, we had the good fortune to visit The Venerable Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo at her Nunnery, near Tashi Jong (a 2 hours car ride from Mc Leod Ganj). She welcomed us at her nunnery. We first got an impression of the daily routine of the Nunnery, being a very conducive environment for the ani-las to study, practice, and engage in the daily activities of a monastery (such as debate, english class, torma making, cooking). At the Nunnery, some nuns were partaking in a strict long term retreat in restricted bounderies.

Nun's residence

Tenzin Palmo's vision was to found a Nunnery to give young nuns of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage the opportunity to realise their intellectual and spiritual potential after so many centuries of neglect and to reinstate at the Nunnery the "Togdenma" (yogini) tradition.

The Nunnery which is specially shaped in a circular way gives the nuns a very intimate and cosy living environment. It contains the living quarters, kitchen, dining hall, gompa, and in the future a place of social exchanges. Some other buildings are also dedicated for classes, offices, temple, hostel for the nuns' families (most of them are coming from the Himalayan regions A two months retreat is undertaken each year by the nuns.

We were very much moved by Ven. Tenzin Palmo's view and determination to make a positive lasting change in the lives of many. The young nuns faces were radiating joy, happiness and contentment.
It is such a great inspiration to come into contact with such a role model just after entering the monastic life.
We had time to share some time with Jetsun Tenzin Palmo and the atmosphere she created will rest for a long time in our hearts. We look forward to meet her again one day in the nearby future.

Ven. Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Sister Jotika and some of the POC participants

For more information about Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo's Nunnery, you can visit : http://www.tenzinpalmo.com/