LNA Newsletter - Winter 1998

Summer Teachings

Venerable T. Palmo, together with all the younger nuns from Thardot Choling Nunnery, were away for most of the summer in Nubra valley attending teachings on Lama Tsongkhapa's (Sumbum) text, given by Most Ven. Jangtse Chosge Sras Rinpoche.

H.H. The Dalai Lama

In July, Ven. T. Palmo and all the nuns from Chulichan nunnery attended the teachings on the development of Bodhichitta and the initiation of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig) given in Leh and Changthang by H.H. The Dalai Lama, along with tens of thousands of other Ladakhis who treated His Holiness' visit very much as a homecoming. The 63rd birthday of His Holiness was marked with traditional Tibetan celebrations and much enthusiasm.

Vinaya Teachings

Vinaya Teachings took place for the third year running at Agling near Leh. Over forty nuns received teachings on the development of bodhichitta (love, compassion and altruism). It was hard work for the participants, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn. After the closing ceremony, a Tara puja was performed, and a half-day pilgrimage was made to two sites in the Leh valley. At Tsemo Monastery, new prayer flags were put up for all the friends and supporters of the Ladakh Nuns Association, while at Shanti Stupa, prayers were made for the peace of all sentient beings.

A 72 year old nun who attended the seminar told Ven. T. Palmo, "I had to spend my precious younger life in serving firstly my grandparents, then my parents, and finally my nephew and nieces. I really have been very much inspired by these teachings every year that I have attended. I would very much like to learn more, but unfortunately I am already very old, so it is too late for me. However, I wish and I am praying everyday that the younger nuns receive in the future the religious instruction and education I never had the opportunity to receive.

Thardot Choling Chulichan Nunnery, Redzong

The building program is continuing well. The second floor, which contains a big meditation hall and four double-sized teaching rooms plus a covered corridor and attached toilet & bathroom will be completed this autumn. The final phase of the current building renovation, a conference hall will be built in Spring 1999.

Three more nuns were ordained in September. The admittance of 5 novice nuns means that there is now a community of 20 nuns based at the nunnery.

Medicinal herbs are being collected for the planned pharmacy annex and training centre for Tibetan medicine. Some of the nuns have also been trained by Ven. Dr. T. Palmo in how to give hot spring treatments, and have been practicing their new skills on some older nuns based in Leh.

Annual Meeting

This was presided over by the Patron of the Ladakh Nuns Association, Most Ven. Rizong Sras Rinpoche (Abbot of Rizong). The major decisions made at the meeting were:

▪     Vinaya Teachings will take place in Leh and Zanskar in alternate years, with a large    scale seminar every third year in Leh.

▪     Given the remoteness of the region, when the teachings takes place in Zangskar, the  teacher will also teach in villages to the nuns who are unable to attend the official seminar.

 ▪     The 1997 incoming and expenditure accounts were approved. 

Sponsorship Letter

We had a good response to our sponsorship letter sent out in July 1998, but we are still looking for more sponsors for the nuns.

Meditation Camps

Six tented meditation camps for foreign visitors, of one-week duration, are planned for July and August 1999. These will take place in the beautiful grounds of Thardot Choling Nunnery, Chulichan. 

It is hoped that the courses will be led by Ven. Rita, a Swiss nun from Tushita Buddhist center at Dharamsala. Final details will be given at a later date. 

New Brochure

We hope you have all received and like our new brochure. We would be grateful if you could make copies and distribute them to friends. 

New Office

We now have a small rented house/office in Leh, well situated on Old Fort Road (behind Fargo Travels, on the right hand side going down towards the Indian Airlines office). There is no telephone at the office, but urgent messages can be sent by fax c/o Gypsy's World on 0091-1982-52735. 

Special Thanks...

To Elizabeth Gardner, Ruth Hofer and Donna Brown for all their hard work in promoting the Ladakh Nuns Association, and also to all the other volunteers who have helped with the gardening, greenhouse and building work at Thardot Choling Nunnery, and in producing the new brochure and this newsletter. Thanks very much indeed for all your help!