2002 Fall Newsletter

Good News For Shugsep Nuns

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678 Nuns 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678 Project Shugsep nuns and their teachers in front of the old Shugsep Nunnery building We are delighted to announce that after contractors and will be ready to start the many obstacles and hindrances, we have construction after the ground breaking finally been able to secure four acres of puja has been performed, which will take land below Dharamsala on which to build place on an auspicious day before the end the new Shunsep Nunnery. After more of the year. than ten years of living in their damp and The first phase of the construction cramped quarters higher up the hill, the will provide the necessary facilities for the nuns will enjoy this beautiful site with nuns to move in: housing for nuns and wide views of the main town of teachers, kitchen, dining hall and half the Dharamsala set against the Himalayan proposed study centre, which will provide Dhauladhar range to the northeast and three classrooms and a temporary prayer the lovely hills and valleys of Kangra to hall. We are aiming to complete this the south. within eighteen months of the start of The top of the site is bordered by an construction, although we are still U.S. ancient mango grove and a steeply rising $50,000 short of the funding to complete protected forest with a tiny Hindu shrine the first phase. The second phase, for on top. A good access road has been which we must now begin to fundraise, constructed and the property is already includes further accommodation, the fenced and gated for security. A water temple, the second half of the study supply has been found by drilling a bore centre, a small health center, an office and well which is providing abundant water, a guest house. This is estimated to cost and an electrical connection is already U.S. $580,000 and will be undertaken as soon as possible thereafter. established. The gently rising terraces are 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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largly free of boulders and lend themselves 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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to easy drainage and setting of the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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buildings with maximum light and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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ventilation. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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Over these past two years we have been 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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working steadily on the plans for this new 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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nunnery complex with an architectural 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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firm in Delhi, Dewatsang Sarangal. The 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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basic architectural drawings and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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construction specifications are now 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 Fall 2002 complete and the structural plans are 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 being prepared. We are interviewing The new Shugsep site Tibetan Nuns Project The Tibetan Cultural Region

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Established in 1987, the Tibetan Nuns Since its inception in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Project provides education and sup- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 1987, The Tibetan Nuns 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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port to approximately 500 nuns in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Project has set out to 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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five different nunneries in northern 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

assist nuns from all parts 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 India. The Project is dedicated to: 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

of Tibet and from all the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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different Tibetan Buddhist 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

Improving standards of food, sanitation, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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medical care, basic education and training lineages without 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 in existing nunneries. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 preference or distinction. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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While our initial concept 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

Working towards future self-sufficiency 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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through innovative educational was to help refugees from 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 opportunities. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Tibet access their 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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educational tradition, we 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

Establishing further facilities for refugee 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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Buddhist nuns. have over the years been 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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receiving increasing 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Patron numbers of requests for 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama religious education from 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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nuns from the Himalayan 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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Director 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 regions on the border 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Rinchen Khando Choegyal 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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between Tibet and India: 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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Co-Directors Ladakh, Zanskar, Spiti, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Elizabeth Napper 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Lahoul and Kinnaur. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Ven. Lobsang Dechen 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

Historically, geograph- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Office Manager India ically and economically 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 Dolma Tsering these northern mountain- 12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121 ous regions of India were linked so tightly time when the Tibetans in exile in India Development Officer U.S. are establishing a firm base of monastic Debi Goldman to Tibet, one might argue as to which country they belonged. Tibet was a education, turn their feet in this direction Sponsorship vibrant spiritual and cultural hub for and seek admission in the recently Tashi Yangzom - India China to the east, Mongolia to the north established Tibetan nunneries in the Heidi Basch -USA communities in exile. and India to the south. 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 According to the nuns Many thanks to the following people Monks would follow the 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 who contributed to the 123456789012345678901234567 who come to the Nuns trade routes into Tibet to 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 design, content, and editing of this newsletter: 123456789012345678901234567 Project from these regions, join monasteries and 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 there are few and poor Diane Nelson studywith great masters, 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 nunneries for them to join Philippa Russell bringing back inspiration 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 Dolma Tsering 123456789012345678901234567 and even fewer opportunities and news from Tibet to 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 Michelle Schechtman 123456789012345678901234567 for them to study. A nun the remote mountain 123456789012345678901234567 Debi Goldman 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 from Zanskar explains how it Enrique Phelan valley communities. 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 123456789012345678901234567 is nearly impossible to be a Ven. Lobsang Dechen In 1959 the Chinese 123456789012345678901234567

123456789012345678901234567 Jo Ryan 123456789012345678901234567 nun in that region because seized control of Tibet, 123456789012345678901234567 Border area nuns in the upper nuns have to struggle so hard Thanks to the Heinrich Böll Foundation for severing the age-old providing the computer and scanner that have connection between the classes at Dolma Ling for mere survival. Usually enabled the production of this newsletter. Indian and Tibetan Himalayan regions. they remain in their family homes and Cross border interchange ceased and, just receive no education. This is why so many The Tibetan Nuns Project is a 501 (c) 3 organiza- are prepared to take up the great challenge tion. All donations are tax-deductible in the U.S. as Tibetans lost their monasteries and Buddhist culture was assailed, so also the of learning Tibetan in order to join the India: c/o Dolma Ling, Indian border areas lost their access to nunneries in India and study Buddhist PO Sidhpur 176057, higher studies and connection with their philosophy. They will in time become the Dist. Kangra, H.P. first women teachers to return to these Email: [email protected] Buddhist neighbor. remote regions to introduce Buddhist Ph: (1892) 246419 Where conditions for monks and monasteries are depressed, then those for learning for women. USA: 2288 Fulton St., #312 nuns and nunneries are worse. Young We are currently supporting more than Berkeley, CA 94704 women from the border region who are 100 nuns from the border areas: about Email: [email protected] interested in religion, and who, through forty at Dolma Ling, twenty at Geden Ph: (510) 647-3423 the spirit of the 21st century, are Choeling, forty at Tilokpur, and a few www.tnp.org motivated to study and reach out at this living on their own. 2 Study Programs in the Various Nunneries

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Tilokpur is fundraising to build a new 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Good progress in studies continues at the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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new study complex, and when it is 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 nunneries associated with the Tibetan 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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finished they will expand their course of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Nuns Project. We have been very 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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study to include the full range of Karma 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 fortunate to receive generous funding 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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Kagyu teachings. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 from the Norwegian Tibet Committee 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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Geden Choeling nuns continue to 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Women’s Group through a larger 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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make good progress with studies, which 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Norwegian donor, Operation A Day’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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include Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Work. They are paying teachers’ salaries 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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English, social studies and maths. Having 1234567890123456789012345678901212345123 6 and providing textbooks for Shugsep, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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four new classrooms is what has made it 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Dolma Ling, Geden Choeling, and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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possible for them to organize a regular 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

Tilokpur. They also provided the funding 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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formal course of study. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 for Geden Choeling’s four new 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 classrooms, have enabled us to finish new 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890112 2 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 classrooms at Dolma Ling, and next year 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 will provide funding towards the new 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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Shugsep classrooms. We are very grateful 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 for their interest and support. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 Shugsep nuns in English class

This year at Dolma Ling we undertook 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 a major curriculum revision, and 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 restructured the study programme so that 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 the first four years will function as a basic 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 primary education that we can make 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 available to a maximum number of nuns, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 both recent refugees from Tibet and nuns 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456 from the Himalayan border regions. (see 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Geden Choeling nuns in their new classroom 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 article, p.2) This four year course of study 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456 will provide nuns who have had little or Jang Gonchoe Debate Session 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

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12345678901234567890123456789012123456 no previous education with a basic We continued this year with the annual 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 competency in Tibetan, English, Buddhist Jang Gonchoe debate session. Each year it 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 1 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 debate and philosophy.␣ At the end of the is held at a different nunnery, and this 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 four-year course, students' conduct, year it was the turn of Jangchup Choeling 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 combined test results, study habits and Nunnery in the Tibetan settlement in 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 monastic discipline will be evaluated to Mundgod, South India. With funding 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 determine who will be admitted to the from the Heinrich Böll Foundation of 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 further course of study. Having completed Germany, we sponsored eighty nuns from 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 eleven years of study, a nun must decide four nunneries, three in the Dharamsala Dolma Ling nuns debating which track she would like to pursue— area and one in Nepal, to travel to the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 five or six years more study to achieve a south for a month’s intensive debate. It is 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Geshe degree, the equivalent to a Western inspiring for the nuns to see what their 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Ph.D. in Buddhist philosophy or an counterparts in other nunneries are doing 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 alternative course that we are still working and to sharpen their debate skills. There 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 to develop.␣ The top class at Dolma Ling are no winners and losers in the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 are in their eleventh year of study. Their traditional sense; rather Tibetan debate is 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 next course text will take three years. a healthy competition that heightens one’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 At Shugsep, the nuns are at five knowledge and sharpens the mind. At its 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 different levels of study, and the top class best, it leads to the creation of thoughtful, 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 is only one year away from completing the articulate, and compassionate scholars. 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 full course of study of the Nyingma Particularly inspiring about this year’s 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 “Shedra”. debate session in the south was the strong 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Tilokpur continues to have classes in and positive response of the Tibetan 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 Tibetan and English. Their Tibetan community there. It is a new 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 teacher is one of the first nun teachers, a phenomenon to have nuns studying and 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 young woman who has completed a four debating in this fashion, and the 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 12345678901234567890123456789012123456

12345678901234567890123456789012123456 year course of study at the Saraha Institute community offered tremendous support 12345678901234567890123456789012123456 in Tibetan language plus teacher training. and encouragement. New books for Tilokpur students 3 What do the nuns do every day?

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 Shugsep nuns practice the gyaling. This year they will provide all the ritual music at 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 the annual Nyingma Monlam (prayer festival) held in Bodh Gaya in January.

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Dharamsala nuns produced 35,000 freedom bracelets in 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 2002 for distribution during Tibet awareness campaigns in 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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Europe. 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 Recycled papermaking is an income generating project that we hope will take off. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 So far the nuns are making cards, sheets of gift wrap, and small notepads. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Garbage management is a priority in all the nunneries. Re- cyclable and plastic waste is collected and carefully disposed Shugsep nuns prepare "torma" offerings for special rituals. of while bio-degradable waste is composted. 4 Much more than just study and prayer!

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 These tanks at Geden Choeling were installed with funding from the Lolwe 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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Foundation of Denmark to help deal with chronic water shortages. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Nuns are learning to make all their own clothing and also

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 are begining to produce items to sell that will help support 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 them in the future.

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 Washing clothes at Geden Choeling is done with minimum use of water. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901 Three cows provide milk to meet Dolma Ling's daily needs. Composting of kitchen and garden waste provides rich mulch for the garden. Many of the nuns grew up as nomads in Tibet, so daily milking presents no problem. 5 His Holiness The Dalai Lama Visits Tilokpur

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1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 The biggest event of the year for Tilokpur 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 took place on September 28, when His 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Holiness the Dalai Lama visited there to 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 consecrate the new site where they are 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 planning to build a "shedra", an institute 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 for the full course of study in their Karma 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Kagyu tradition. It was a major operation 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 for the Tilokpur nuns to make all the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 necessary arrangements to receive His 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Holiness, the VIPs present and many other 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 people who had come to see and hear His 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Holiness. A tent on the new land was 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 decorated brilliantly with of banners and 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 thangkas. His Holiness offered prayers and 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 consecrated the site, named "Drubten 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Pelmo Gyipe Gatsel" by the Karmapa 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 when he visted Tilokpur in May, 2002. 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 They hope to begin construction soon, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 but all depends on the success of their 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 fundraising efforts. 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Winter Trainings

Computer be used in the future, as the nuns plan to medical terminology in English. The nuns learned to take blood pressure, make This year six Dolma Ling nuns received a produce a small magazine in Tibetan dressings, give injections and create a three-week computer training to reinforce written solely by the nuns. more systematic way of running a health and build upon the basic training those At this point they are concentrating on clinic. The nuns hope to be able to learn same nuns received last year. The trainer, a basic computer skills. Internet access and lab work in the upcoming year. computer software technician from the e-mail are at present not appropriate Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, concen- either to the technology available to us or Leadership trated on teaching the nuns basic word to the nuns' level of English. processing skills, PageMaker and Excel. In April, Dolma Ling held a four day They have since been able to make a small Health leadership and community building nunnery prayer book and put out For three weeks in February, Dolma Ling training. As a follow-up to a previous frequent notices for the nuns. Some of held a health workers training attended by leadership training the same trainers from them enjoy the typing while others like nuns from five different nunneries. The Thailand were invited to come back and the graphics. This good combination will morning training, given by Mrs. Tsering work with the nuns. The trainers visited

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 four different nunneries in the 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Lhamo, a public

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Dharamsala area including Shugsep and 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 health nurse

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Geden Choeling. The training aimed to 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 from the Tibetan

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 empower the nuns with leadership and 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Government in

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 team building skills. These skills are not 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Exile, focused on

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 always reinforced within the monastic 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 medical record

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 education but are crucial to the nuns as 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 keeping and

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 they will one day be spiritual leaders of 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 mental health

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 their community. 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 issues. The

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Ouyporn, one of the trainers from 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 evening session,

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Thailand, said that the nuns who 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 taught by a

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 participated in the training were all 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Tibetan speaking

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 excellent learners. "We are very impressed 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 British woman,

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 with their intelligence, confidence and 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 Jo Gibson, con-

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678 centrated on willingness to take risks during the Closing function for the winter trainings at Dolma Ling workshop." 6 TNP Office Updates

TNP U.S.A TNP India

The Tibetan Nuns Project welcomes our We were sad to see our Project new Development Officer, Debi Goldman, Coordinator, Lhamo Choedon, leave for to the Berkeley office. Debi is taking over the U.S. after six years of dedicated work the legacy built by Meg Moser who left the for the project and the nuns. Dolma position in May. Debi initially came to us Tsering who joined in 1999 has taken over as volunteer office help in 1999 while most of her responsibilities of keeping the attending U.C. Berkeley and continued to daily accounts, managing emails and co- help TNP by selling calendars while ordinating with the U.S. office. In June, completing an MA on the east coast. Tashi Yangzom was appointed Also in 2002, we acquired Heidi Basch sponsorship secretary and has taken up as our Sponsorship Coordinator. Heidi with enthusiasm the task of writing up the too has been an active volunteer since photo-bios of the new nuns in all the 1999. In addition to her duties as nunneries and managing correspondence Sponsorship Coordinator, Heidi prepares between nuns and their sponsors. Dolma, Tashi and Debi at the Dolma Ling and manages our monthly volunteer office nights. Debi and Heidi work tirelessly to keep TNP involved in Bay area events and You Can Help keep our supporters updated. They are in Fundraising Tour The Tibetan Nuns Project continues to the Berkeley office Monday through Rescheduled increase the number of nuns that we Friday to answer any of your questions or support each year. Maintenance and comments. We are pleased to announce the re- expansion of the Project would not be Thanks to a generous donation of scheduling of the 2001 Support Tour. In possible were it not for the help of our website maintenance and an email April 2003, we will welcome our director, volunteers, sponsor and donors. We are subscription program by Firinn Taisdeal Mrs. Rinchen Khando Choegyal and our very grateful to everyone who has helped Consulting ([email protected]), we co-director, Dr. Elizabeth Napper back to us over the years. We are often asked by have been able to cut costs by offering the U.S. This year their focus will be on people how they can best support us, and email sponsorship reminders and the new construction of Shugsep we've created this resource detailing our announcements of events. This year our Nunnery. The Shugsep nuns have current needs. email subscribers will swiftly receive our increased in number and continue to live Make a Donation Your donation will updates on the nunneries through our e- and study in badly deteriorating buildings. be used for education, medical care, and newsletter known as the "Postcard from Thanks to a generous grant from the basic living expenses for the nuns, or Dharamsala." Hershey Foundation, we are merely U.S. special building needs for the $50,000 away from having the necessary infrastructure of the nunneries. You may funding for the first phase of building. An stipulate that your gift address a specific New TNP Video additional U.S.$580,000 is needed to need. You can make a donation by Summer 2002 saw the release of our latest complete the entire project. It is our hope contacting our Berkeley or Dharamsala video "Building a Future in Exile," that we can raise the funds and further offices or on our website. directed and produced by Rosemary extend support to the brave women of Host an event/Distribute our goods Rawcliffe of Frame of Mind Films. Shot Shugsep Nunnery. Some of our supporters have had very on location at Dolma Ling and Shugsep Tentative locations to meet Rinchen innovative ideas such as requesting guests nunneries, Rosemary and crew provide an Khando-la and Dr. Napper will be in San at their wedding to each make a small inside view of progress and future needs Francisco, Minnesota, Chicago, Los donation to TNP in honor of the at the nunneries. We are very grateful to Angeles, Santa Barbara, Vancouver, newlyweds. Many have had fun hosting a Rosemary for her magnificent effort on Calgary, Portland and Seattle. Rinchen video party and selling our goods. TNP our behalf! Khando-la will be on the University of independently produces and distributes a If you are interested in helping us San Francisco Law School campus as a yearly wall calendar, as well as shirts, spread the word about our work, consider visiting human rights activist from April 7 freedom bracelets, and greeting cards. showing the video to friends or screening to 9. She will be speaking at a core This year we will be introducing several it for us at a public event. Please call our convocation at the College of St. new products made by the nuns at Dolma U.S. office to order a copy. Also if you are Catherine in the Twin Cities, MN on April Ling such as handmade paper and small interested in Frame of Mind Film's other 14. Other dates are still to be confirmed. prayer bead bags. Please contact the U.S. productions on Tibetan women please Be sure you are on our email list for office at (510) 647-3423 or email: email: [email protected]. regular updates, or check our website. [email protected] for more information. 7 India By Airmail Postage

Tibetan Nuns Project

c/o Dolma Ling PO Sidhpur-176057 District Kangra, HP INDIA

Calendar 2003 now available!

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