News from Samtenling Nunnery

Samt_014This summer we had twenty nuns, who stayed at the Nunnery. Some nuns went in to retreat and four nuns went to take computer classes.  There were also special Tibetan language, English and Hindi classes arranged by Songtsen Library for monks and nuns staying back for the summer holidays, so many of our nuns were happy to join these courses.

We are very happy to announce that the results of the college term from summer 2010 to May 2011 came out with our nuns doing very well. The annual examinations were held at the Kagyu College with the monks and the results were also from the entire class.
Ani Rinchen Tsomo came first in class V. In class IV Ani Kunchok Dolkar came third, in class I Ani  Kunchok Deki came first, in the Preliminary class Ani Jinpa Sangmo came first and Ani Stenzin came third.
Samt_013One nun did not return from summer holidays, so we now have 77 nuns at Samtenling Nunnery and we do not have plans to increase the number of nuns here as funding is difficult to come up. Of this number we have only 14 nuns with sponsors. At present there are 17 nuns in the Monastery, 13 in the Retreat and 47 are studying in the College Section.  There are two nuns in class 6 this year.

Here are two essays written by the nuns, which we would like to share with others. The English teacher has made corrections but no changes were made.

Drikung Kagyu Samtenling Nunnery
Board of Administration

From Himachal Pradesh

My name is Konchok Chodon. I am from Chamba Pangi, Himachal Pradesh. I became a nun when I was seventeen years old. I decided on my own to become a nun. I have been a nun for four years now.
When I was five years old my father died and my mother is living at home. She is a very hard working woman. I have a younger brother, who is a monk and is here at Drikung Jangchubling Monastery. He is twelve years old.

I am now in class I in the college section. We have 77 nuns here. There are seven monk teachers and two are abbots. Ms. Norzin Shakabpa is my English teacher. We are studying dharma, debate, Tibetan language and English. I think we are lucky nuns because we get the kindness of His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Rinpoche. We have everything which we like. We get the knowledge we want to learn from the kindness of our teachers. We can learn so many things and we can handle things carefully from listening to the advice from His Holiness and the path of enlightenment; good heart, love, kindness and universal responsibility and we have no problems of anything. We pray for all sentient beings, peace for human beings and I wish happiness, good health and wisdom for everyone.

Konchok Chodon

Inauguration of Tserkarmo Monastery in Ladakh

Tserkarmo Monastery is located in Tingmosgang Village in Ladakh. Venerable Khenpo Rangdol, Khenpo Tenpal and Drupon Sangye are the heads of the Monastery. Before the inauguration we prayed and read Buddhist texts for five days. A lot of monks and nuns from different monasteries and nunneries came to for the event. On 1st August we welcomed His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche. People from different villages came to welcome His Holiness. Next day His Holiness blessed the monastery by scattering flowers and praying. This day was very fortunate for us because a beautiful rainbow was in the sky. On the second day we celebrated the inauguration of a Stupa and His Holiness’s birthday. After lunch we had Cham (Religious dance) and a cultural show.

On 4th August His Holiness taught “Dagpo Choeshi”. His Holiness said,”We must practice love, compassion and Bodhichitta towards all sentient being so that we gain happiness”. Next day he also taught about the interdependence of phenomena. After lunch H. Eminence Togden Rinpoche was reading the Drikung “Phowa Chemo” (Drikung Transference of Consciousness). At night we made offerings for the Phowa Teachings. Next day H.H. Chetsang Rinpoche gave the initiation of the Phowa. At this occasion there were two rainbow appearances. We were very fortunate to be able to on this occasion. The facilities were good for every person, especially for monks and nuns.

There is also a Nunnery at Tingmosgang. There are about forty nuns in this nunnery and they are good and active members. Eight nuns from Samtenling stayed at the nunnery. As we all know each other, everyone was kind and friendly and we enjoyed being there.
We thanked the Nuns for their hospitality and prayed for them to pass from Samsara.

Jinpa Sangmo, Samten Wangmo, Trinley Wangmo, Tenzin Choedon, and Tashi Dolkar
 
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