His Holiness the Dalai Lama Inaugurates the Dolma Ling Nunnery
Thursday, 8 December 2005, 4:00 PM

Says Tibetan Buddhism is the Pride of the Tibetan People.

His Holiness speaking to a group of pilgrims from Tibet (photo: Lobsang Wangyal)

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “Our traditional style of studying Buddhism needs to change. It puts a lot of emphasis on rituals and wearing of different hats. The effective way of understanding Buddhism should be as it was taught and studied by the great masters and scholars in Nalanda in ancient India, with emphasis on understanding in-depth the teachings of the Buddha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was speaking at the inauguration of Dolma Ling Nunnery and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics today. His Holiness the Dalai Lama told his audience that Tibet inherited the complete corpus of Buddhist wisdom and Buddhism is the defining fabric of the culture of Tibet. His Holiness said, “Tibetan Buddhism is the pride of the Tibetan people and the motivating factor of our struggle.”

Kasur Rinchen Khando showing the model of Dolma Ling Nunnery(photo: Lobsang Wangyal)

After the inauguration ceremony, His Holiness stepped outside the assembly hall and addressed more than 1,500 Tibetans who had arrived from Tibet. His Holiness said the wellspring of the strength of Tibet was the spirit of the Tibetan people in Tibet. His Holiness also advised the Tibetans, most of whom will be travelling to Amravati in Andhra Pradesh in central India to attend His Holiness’ Kalachakra teachings, to look after their health. After his address His Holiness individually blessed each Tibetan. Many of them moved by the occasion and having the privilege of his blessings and being in his presence were sniffling and sobbing.

People picnicking after the official function(photo: Lobsang Wangyal)

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was welcomed to the Dolma Ling Nunnery by Kasur Rinchen Choegyal, the director of the Tibetan Nuns Project, co-director Venerable Lobsang Dechen, principal, Venerable Rinzin Chodak and by the more than 200 nuns.

Kasur Rinchen Khando Choegyal, in her speech giving the background of the Tibetan Nuns Project, which initiated the Dolma Ling Nunnery, recounted that when His Holiness in 1984 instructed the Tibetan women to revive the Tibetan Women’s Association also told them to help the Tibetan nuns. With this as the inspiration, the Tibetan Women’s Association started the Dolma Ling and Shunseb Nunneries in 1987. Now the Tibetan Nuns Project supports about 600 nuns, including those in retreat. Kasur Rinchen Khando Choegyal said that the purpose of the two nunneries is to provide education and food for the nuns and especially those from Tibet who wish to pursue higher religious education in exile. She thanked the sponsors for their generosity in making both the nunneries possible.

Kalon Lobsang Nyima, the kalon for the Department of Religion and Culture, praised the work of the Dolma Ling Nunnery and the dedication of the staff and students. Touching on gender equality, Kalon Lobsang Nyima said his department would do its best to obtain full ordination of Tibetan nuns.

Venerable Rinzin Chodak, the principal, explained the curriculum of the Nunnery.

There were about 6,000 people gathered at the inauguration ceremony to receive the darshan of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence the Karmapa. After the ceremony, lunch was served for the guests in tents pitched on a large field against the stunning background of the Dhauladhar Range. The 1500 Tibetans, newly arrived from Tibet and dressed in all their regional fineries, fanned across the field. They decided to have a picnic and spread large Amdo bread before them. Perhaps the pieces of Amdo bread must have made the same arduous trek across the mountains with the devout travellers.

(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.)

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