phot
oVe
nTe
ndro
n
T H O S A M L I N GIn s t i tu te & Nunner y f o r Inter nat i ona l Buddh i s t Women
NEWS letterSummer 2014
Non -HimalayanNuns Association–NHNA
Tibetan LanguageProgram 2014/2015@ Thosamling
Dharma Teachings& NunsTrainingat Thosamling
HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMAblessed THOSAMLING Institute & Nunnerywith His visit in May 2009
THOSAMLING INSTITUTE & NUNNERYFOR INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST WOMEN
Founder: Ven. Tenzin SangmoSidhpur, 176057
Dharamsala, H.P., Indiamobile: 9816141830
Monsoon is on the way. The rice paddiesare coveredwith water and tiny rice buds arepopping up. This year the weather changedhere as everywhere in the world. It was alonger winter, with more rain which wasgood for our garden, and really hot temper-atures in April and May. With the monsoonstarting the temperature dropped again – itwas time to give our nunnery a new coating!For two months the painters were here togive it all a new shiny look.
Our much loved and revered GesheTsewang Nyima taught for threemonths theMiddle Lamrim by Lama Tsongkhapa, whichwas amazing and very in-depth. Beforemoving back to South India Geshela tooktime to give all of us special advice andpractices. The connection with Geshela andThosamling is very close and having Geshe-la here is a great blessing and delight.
The classroom has been completely up-dated, with new chairs and tables in fancycolors. New equipment, like a projector, waspurchased to make the Tibetan languagelessons easier and quicker to digest. Formany people time factors are the mostimportant in their lives. Therefore wechanged the structure of the Tibetan classesso that no time gets wasted. Preparationstook a lot of energy and time, but the resultswill be seen in the course that starts on the4th of August. There are still spaces open, soif you want to join in, contact us ASAP.
Several nuns were heading to Leh forthe Kalachakra, and safely arrived back afterthe teaching and initiation. All were veryhappy to be part of such a great event.
On their way back, they brought apricotsfromManali, and together with the figs fromour own garden these were transformed inour kitchen into numerous glasses filledwith delicious jam for our breakfast table.
Those of us staying behind in the nun-nery had to prepare for the courses andother activities, which was also greatlybeneficial as all was finally done. So pleasecheck the result in the form of our comingprogram on the following pages ((:
2 3
Top, Geshela teaching in the temple; right,Geshela coming from his house to the temple.
Lama Tsong Khapa’sMiddle Lamrim
with Geshe LharampaTsewang Nyima
the Israeli Iyengar yoga teacherand body therapist (Grindberg method) thatspent time in India recently with you all.
Now, after being fourmonths back in Israel,I am remembering the time that I spent in India,and especially in the beautiful nunnery ofThosamling in Dharamsala.
And I can say that it changed my life!I came to India to learn about yoga, and I
found myself (literally) and fell in love withBuddhismwhile staying in a Buddhist nunneryfor almost three months. I think that my entirelife led me to this moment.
I just want to say thank you all from thebottom ofmy heart, and I am looking forward toseeing you all again very soon in this life.
With love,Ifat (the Israeli girl)
Recently we received an email from Ifat, the ‘Israeli girl’...
One thing is certain at Thosamling: You will meet … Interesting people !
Sangmo’s Column
From April to June this year Geshe TsewangNyima, our teacher at Thosamling, came fromhismonastery Drepung Loseling in South Indiato teach Lama Tsong Khapa’s Middle Lamrim.
Hi, this is Ifat,
Niermann Ofenbau GmbHwww.niermann-steinofen.de
K3 Dämmservicewww.k3-daemmservice.de
ContentsSangmo’s Column 2
On-going Study Programat Thosamling withGeshe LharampaTsewang Nyima 3
Interesting People: Ifat 3Tibetan Language Program 4NHNA / Nuns Study Program
at Thosamling 6+7
back cover:Become a Friend of Thosamling 8
Cover photo: Western nuns at the
meeting of the newly founded
Non-Himalayan Nuns Alliance
– NHNA –
in April 2014 at Thosamling
Companies Niermann Ofenbau GmbHand K3 Dammservice, both from Germany,have generously offered to help us build astrong, long-lasting wood-fired clay heater in our dininghall. In October they will senda four-person crew to India towork for twoweeks, setting usup with heat just in time forthe coming winter.
Both companies are sending theirworkers as volunteers to work for free, butthey will of course incur travel expenses.To support their generous offer we wouldlike to help with their flight tickets andadditional travel costs totaling 3,000 Euros.
If you would like to help us with thisproject please contact us at :
Geshela completed all the chapters whichcover the lower scope and on the last dayfinished classes by teaching the first lines ofthe middle scope, an indication that Geshelawill continue teaching the lamrim in 2015.
Geshela said that next year he will try tocome back for sixmonths. In themeantime, wewill review all the teachings which have beengiven so far, listening again to the recordings,and we will also memorize at least the mainpoints of the extensive outline.
If you ever walk by yourself high in the
mountains among the pines and rocks,
leaving everything in the valley far below you,
when there is not a whisper among the trees
and every thought has withered away,
then it may come to you, the otherness.
If you hold it, it will never come again;
what you hold is the memory of it, dead and gone.
What you hold is not the real;
your heart and mind are too small,
they can hold only the things of thought
and that is barren.
Go further away from the valley, far away,
leaving everything down there.
You can come back and pick them up if you
want to but they will have lost their weight.
You will never be the same again.
Krishnamurti
Winterly Dhauladar Rangebehind THOSAMLING
Help us build a heaterin our dining hall ...Thosamling is situated at the foothills of theHimalayas. The snow line is slightly higherthan where we are located, but when itsnows in the mountains the cold we ex-perience is very strong. In recent years theDharamsala area winters have been gettingcolder and longer, and two years agoThosamling even got snow for the first timesince 40 years.
Therefore we would like to add awood-fired heater in our dining hall to getus through these cold days. We have a lot ofwood leftover from earlier building con-struction, which is now too old or too bad todo anything with except use in wood fires.
6 7
Tibetan Language Program 2014/2015 at Thosamling
All courses are freefor ordained Sangha.
Module 1: Tibetan Language Course Beginners2014: Aug 4 to Oct 242015: Jan 5 to Feb 27; June 22 to Sept 11Teachers: Tenzin Chokyi and Tsering LhamoStartingwith the alphabet, youwill be able to readand write basic Tibetan in two weeks time. Wework with an outline of the course which has pro-ven to be successful throughout the years. Thereare handouts, homework exercises, audio andvideomaterials, all designed to progress as quicklyas possible. The course is intensive and you needto focus only on your studies to make it success-ful. The morning sessions are used to go throughthe newmaterials and the afternoons are for exer-cises and practice. Guest teachers and senior stu-dents will be invited during the course to talkabout their experiences.5 days/week, 2.5 hours in the morning and 2 hours inthe afternoon. Course donation 6000 rs/month.
Module 2: Tibetan Intermediate Course2014: Oct 27 to Dec192015: Sept28 to Dec 11Teachers: Tenzin Chokyi and Tsering LhamoWe will work with texts from the book by GesheLhundup Sopa, Lectures on Tibetan ReligiousCulture, and also use other texts that have beencollected and proven useful throughout the years.These include newspapers, books, and generaltalks. Besides focusing on improving one’s literaryTibetan there is enough time to improve yourspoken Tibetan as well. In the afternoons all stud-ents can meet with conversation partners for twohours to improve their colloquial skills. Excercisesamongst the students will help them to start trans-lating and increase confidence in speaking.Details: see Module 1
Module 2:Intermediate Special:Literary Tibetan withProfessor Bill Magee2015: March 2 to April 10We are very grateful toannounce this uniqueopportunity for an in-depth study of literaryTibetan with Professor
Bill Magee. As a long-time teacher of literaryTibetan, Bill has extensive experience and skill inmaking the classical texts accessible to anyonewith a basic level of Tibetan – in fact, he possessesthe rare talent to make learning literary Tibetanseem fun and easy.
This course will provide students with a clearunderstanding of how to examine a Tibetansentence and understand its grammar, a solidfoundation of vocabulary for reading Geluk texts,including debate-orientated texts, an appreciationfor thewide differences between literatures of thedifferent lineages as well as for the distinctiveTibetan-Sanskrit translation style.The course will last for 6 weeks, with 4 classes aweek. 2.5 hours a day. Course fee 24.000 rs.Prerequisites: Students need to have done the be-ginners course or at least be able to read Tibetanwith a basic understanding of sentence structures.
Module 3: Dharma Tibetan Language Course2014: Aug 4 to Sept 262015: Jan 5 to Feb 27; Oct 27 to Dec 19Teacher: Tsunma Dawa Dolma
This course will focus on literary as well as collo-quial Tibetan. We work with public talks given byHis Holiness the Dalai Lama and Lam Rim tea-chings by our resident teacher Geshe TsewangNyima. In class we will read texts on the subjectsthat are taught. Next to that we will practice ourunderstanding of the oral explanation. Every daythe students will receive the vocabulary needed tounderstand the teachings of the next day. Thetranslation of the audio will also be available. Inthis way both the fluency in colloquial as well asliterary Tibetan will develop fast.2.5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Self-study is neces-sary to get the most out of this course. Course dona-tion 4000 rs/month.As this course follows up on our intermediate levelcourse, students have ideally already studied in-tensively for at least half a year. If you are uncer-tain about your level, please contact us.
Module 3: Dharma Tibetan Language Coursecombined with the Lam Rim Coursewith Geshe Tsewang Nyima2015: April 6 to July 17 and Oct 19 to Dec 11Teacher: Tsunma Dawa DolmaGeshe TsewangNyimawill be teaching TheMiddleLam Rim of Lama Tsong Khapa. These teachingswill be study material for the classes.
The students will attend the teachings of Geshe-la and later will review the audio materials to geta better understanding. Every day the studentswill receive the vocabulary needed to understandthe teachings of the next day. The translation ofthe audio will also be available. In this way boththe fluency in colloquial as well as literary Tibetanwill develop fast.4 days/week 2 hours with Geshe Tsewang Nyima and5 days/week 2.5 hours with Dawa Dolma.Course donation 4500 rs/month.
Module 4: Introduction to Debate (Dudra/Lorig)2014: Oct 13 to Dec 192015: Aug 3 to Oct 9Teacher: Tsunma Dawa Dolma;
Guest teacher: GeshemaKelsang Wangmoand othersLearning how to debateis essential to under-stand the teachings ofthe Buddha. One lamaexpressed it like this:“Listening to the Dharmawithout the understand-
ing of debate is like trying to chew food withoutteeth.” Debate will open many doors to theDharma and will help you to sharpen your mind.One gets trained in a completely different way ofthinking.
Those who plan to enter Tibetan nunneries ormonasteries need to study Debate thoroughly.Tsunma Dawa Dolma will lead us through thewhole system, andwith the help of Geshe KelsangWangmo it will be easier to relate to the debate asshe is an excellent teacher whomakes debate veryclear to Western minds.
As this course follows up on our Dharma Tibet-an Language Course, students have ideally studiedintensively for at least eight months. If you are un-certain about your level, please contact us.5 classes/week, 2.5 hours/day plus afternoon debatesessions. Course donation 4500 rs/month.
My experiences . . .I joined the Tibetanclass at Thosamlingin April. I did have abit of knowledgebefore (I was ableto read, slowly andwith mistakes,and knew someDharma words),but I really didnot have theconfidence of being anintermediate student, so I was kind of nervousabout how it would be like. However, all mydoubts got dispelled, as Choekyi, the teacher, isvery kind and available to answer questions anytime. She also prepares her own materials forlessons taking into account the students’ needsand interests. In the morning we mostly practicegrammar, writing and understanding writtentexts, although some lessons are focused onvocabulary. In the afternoon we have the oppor-tunity to speak about what we learned in themorning – of course in Tibetan. Choekyi andLhamo, the second teacher, are always there tocorrect us or give a hint about the words orstructures we don’t know.
„ We are happy that you want to learn Tibetan.We are ready to help you“ – these are not onlywords. I can really feel our teachers are interest-ed in students’ progress and do not hesitate toprolong the lesson if necessary or to meet stud-ents privately. I had a wonderful experience oflistening to His Holiness’ speech on YouTubewithChoekyi in the evening – I could not understandmuch from His Holiness himself but when Choe-kyi repeated it for me slowly, I was pleasantlysurprised how much I could get – and then thenext day working with the story ”How I met HisHoliness for the first time“.
4,5 hours a day plus homework or self-study isquite an intense course, but at the same time Ifind it very effective and enjoyable. Of coursethere are moments when one feels frustrated orstupid (many words sound very similar so it isdifficult to recognize them in spoken language,grammar rules are in my opinion quite vague,etc), but as Master Shantideva says, ”there is no-thing which does not become easier with famil-iarization“ – and after two months of study I cansee a big difference compared to when I started.
What I like the most is that there are opportu-nities to practice Tibetan even out of classroom.All the Tibetans you can meet at Thosamling –Choekyi, Lhamo and Ven. Dawa Dolma – are in-deed very kind and interested in helping us tolearn. I believe that continuing the courses atThosamling will enable me to learn Tibetan wellenough to even study in a Tibetan nunnery oneday ... Tenzin Palmo, a Czech nun
Tenzin Palmo, a student of theIntermediate Course:
„We are happy that youwant to learn Tibetan. We
are ready to help you!“
Below you can find the new courses for the coming year and a half. We are looking forward toProfessor Bill Magee’s visit in March 2015, as his teachings are highly qualified and truly amazing.The classroom in Thosamling is freshly painted and we have a new projector which makes theteachings more easy to follow and will save the teacher a lot of time. Drilling sessions can befollowed anytime in the day and evening, as a laptop is available in the classroom with necessarymaterials. Classes are fun and we focus on achieving optimal results in the shortest period of time.
Since 2003, Thosamling has been offeringTibetan language courses for nuns, monksand lay practitioners. The main aim is to en-large the opportunities for in-depth study ofTibetan Buddhist philosophy. Some studentscontinue their studies in Tibetan monasticinstitutions; others become translators forTibetan teachers in their home countries.Guest teachers from all over the world,
such as Professor Bill Magee and GeshemaKelsang Wangmo, visit Thosamling to sharetheir knowledge with the students.
There is a year-long program that is de-signed to give students a complete training –starting from the alphabet, learning collo-quial and then gradually moving on to under-standing Buddhist teachings and readingphilosophical texts. Every module can alsobe followed separately, depending on one’sprevious learning experience or time limita-tions. After having finished the beginner and
intermediate courses, the students can con-tinue their studies with Dharma TibetanLanguage and Debate courses.Note: The year-program will start everysix months, so there are always two pro-grams running simultaneously. For reasonsof clarity, the modules are numbered accor-ding to their levels. Accomodation and foodis not included in the course donations.See also:www.thosamling.com
Program
GesheLharampaTsewangNyimawas awarded thedegree of GesheLharampa in 1980.Geshe-la spent tenyears at Kyil Mon-astery in Spiti,teaching Buddhist
philosophy andestablishing a modern education program for theyounger monks. After that Geshe-la assisted inestablishing the study program at Dolmaling Nun-nery. He volunteered to help in this project,teaching Dharma for more than two years. Geshe-la also spent more than ten years at NorbulingkaInstitute for the Preservation of the Tibetanculture.
Geshe-la is an expert in the Vinaya andwrotea dictionary about the Vinaya. From 2007 Geshe-lawas the resident Buddhist philosophy teacher inThosamling. Since 2013 Geshe-la semi-retired anddivides his time between Thosamling and DrepungLoseling Monastery in South India. Geshe-la willcontinue to teach every year for about four to six
months in Thosamling.
TsunmaDawa Dolmawas born in Tibet in1982. She has been anun for twenty yearsand studied subjectssuch as Buddhist philo-sophy, English and
Tibetan grammar from 1993 until 2011 in Dolma-ling Nunnery. After completing her studies inDolmaling, she received a degree in Pharchin (Pa-ramita), Uma (Madhyamaka), Dzo (Abhidharma),Tsema (Pramana) and Dulwa (Vinaya). After thatshe followed a teacher training course and studiedSanskrit and Hindi in Sarnath for two and halfyears. In Dolmaling she has been teaching diffe-rent philosophical subjects. Dawa Dolma is cur-rently preparing for her Geshe exam, after whichshe expects to receive her Geshe degree.
Tenzin ChoekyiMyname is Tenzin Choe-kyi. Both of my parentsare from Tibet, and I wasborn in India. I am 25years old. I did my B.A.in Tibetan studies fromSara Tibetan College in-cluding a year of bridgeclass. After graduation I
did teacher training courses from the same collegefor a year and half.
I always appreciated the idea of Westernerslearning my language. The opportunity to becomea teacher for foreign students just presented itselfto me, and at Thosamling we have a lovely team ofteachers which is a big source of inspiration. Wesupervise the teachings a lot and try our best tomake it very appealing for the students. In this waywe have enthusiastic students and they get thebest out of the learning process. Thosamling is alsoa very environmentally friendly place and, beingaway from the noise of McLeod Ganj, an oasis ofgreen and quiet and calm. The best environmentin which to study!
We are very close to Sidhpur where manyTibetans live and where you can practice yourTibetan as much as you like. They are very helpfuland willing to spend time with you.
Tsering LhamoI was born in Lhasa,Tibet. At a young age Iescaped with my uncleto India and attendedthe TCV School in Mus-soori. I was very gratefulto get the blessings fromHis Holiness the DalaiLama. As in Tibet the
study situation was very bad, I really appreciatedthe guidance I got from my teachers. After schoolI went to Dharamsala. Five years ago I started as aconversation partner in Thosamling. I am movedby the foreign people who come to study the Bud-dhist teachings and Tibetan. It is such a challengefor them and they put so much effort into it.Therefore I will be always there to help them.
Our teachers
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Module1
Begi
nner
sMod1
Begi
n.Module1
Begi
nner
s
Module2
Inte
rmed
.Module2
Inte
rmed
iate
Mod2
Inte
rSp
ec.
Mod3
Dhar
ma
Mod3
Dhar
ma
Module3
Dhar
ma
Module3
Dhar
ma
&La
mri
mModule3
Dhar
ma/
Lam
rim
Module4
Intr
oDe
bate
Module4
Intr
oDe
bate
Calendar overview2014
2015
The need for this meeting was already“hanging in the air for awhile”. JetsunmaTenzin Palmo and Geshema Kelsang
Wangmo graciously accepted our invitationto join this meeting. Exchange of experienceswere made which were sometimes very sadand shocking to hear about. Some of the nunswere living in establishedmonastic instituti-ons where we receive support and training,but alsomany faced challenges due to lack ofsupport, both material and psychological.Many nuns often suffer from loneliness
and discouragement. It becamemore evidentthat we have to do something to organizeand support ourselves. With the support ofJetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Geshe KelsangWangmo, we continued the meetings.
At the end of the meeting, the Non-Him-alayan Nuns Alliance was formed; a newaffiliation for nuns following the TibetanBuddhist tradition but who are not from Tibetor the other Himalayan regions.
The Non-Himalayan Nuns Alliance seeksto encourage non-Himalayan nuns to net-
work and support each other. Likewise wewill bring this situation to the notice of morelay people in order to promote their coopera-tion and support.
This is a very fresh initiative and we allare happy that the first steps have beenmadein the direction of more solid support andunderstanding of the situation non-Hima-layan nuns are in.
For certain, more newswill come soon asmore progress is made. You can email NHNAat [email protected]
Non-Himalayan Nuns Alliance
8 9
On the 5th of April this year a first meeting of the Non-Himalayan Nuns Alliance (NHNA) in Thosamling Nunnerytook place with many nuns to explore our needs and discuss our difficulties as Buddhist nuns living within
and outside of India.
With new nuns always entering Thosamling it is necessary to organize the trainingprogram according to the needs of the nuns.
Because being a nun requires a unique set of knowledge and skills, Thosamlingprovides training for new nuns to learn a variety of practices. This training programwill be taught by senior and experienced nuns at Thosamling, as well as a variety ofvisiting Sangha members, monks and nuns from other monastic institutions.
It will cover:
Nuns Training Programat Thosamling
Important trainings to understandthe benefits of living in a Sanghacommunity – how to make the bestof it and how to get the most out of itfor oneself and for the other nuns – are in-cluded, and special guidance for the newly ordainedwillbe provided.
Whether nuns are looking for a solid grounding to sustaintheir own further practice or for the tools they need to enter aTibetan nunnery’s study program, Thosamling is a very goodplace to start. And as always, it also depends on what eachindividual nun is making of an excellent opportunity.
Study program:Philosophy,Tibetan Language
Self-study
Vinaya (Ordination)
NHNAMaking tormas
Making tsa-tsas
Vinaya(Sojong)
Painting tsa-tsas
Puja Training & Rituals
Opposite page, top: The nuns at the firstmeeting of what is going to be calledNHNA – Non-Himalayan Nuns Association;row below: Jetsunma Tenzin Palmoarriving at Thosamling.This page, from top: Thosamling’s founderTenzin Sangmo leading Jetsunma throughthe fields to Thosamling Nunnery & Institute;the start of the talks takes place inThosamling’s library; on the way to the dininghall for a break; well-earned refreshmentsand more talks in Thosamling’s dining hall.
As mentioned on our website www.thosamling.com, Thosamling pro-vides a strong Dharma study program as well as Tibetan languagecourses. In the past, about 25 students ended up studying in higherBuddhist Philosophy Institutes such as Sera and Drepung monasteries,the School of Dialectics or in Tibetan nunneries. Others went home totheir centers, translating for their lamas.
For retreatants, Thosamling is an excellent place and we want tomake sure that all of our high standard programs will still be offered inthe future.
The Dharma is available for free for everybody, that was and alwayswill be the case. But due to higher costs (gas, electricity, handimen,
materials etc) – like in theWest –, Dharma centers have to charge higherrates for continuation of their centers.
We noticed that many people are not able to attend Dharma teachingsanymore or have to rely only on books. Retreat places are available butfor many they do not fit within their budget. We like to keep our doorsopen so that the Dharma and the retreat facilities are still available forthose who have lesser financial capabilities. By becoming a Friend ofThosamling you can help us make the Dharma available for everybody.
As a Friend of Thosamling you will receive our bi-annual news-letter, daily prayers for your good health and success, and discounts onaccommodation and courses, as follows:
Two of our most dear friends, Toni and Andrea, started a support program in 2013 calledFriend of Thosamling to help the nunnery financially continue with the work we do.For a small (and also a slightly bigger) amount you can help us continue to offer courses,affordable retreat space and in-depth study programs. We want to continue for the comingyear with our programs and are still looking for friends and members of Thosamling tomake our aims and goals possible and the Dharma available for everyone.
If you would like to become a Friend of Thosamling, please contact us at [email protected]
Become a : Friend of Thosamling
Level of Annual ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Benefits ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Membership donation
(Euro) Newsletter Name on Prayers for Discount Discount Free retreat Dharma giftprayer list family on stay on courses 2 weeks/year
Friend 75 √ √ – – – – –
Member 150 √ √ √ – – – –
Sponsor member 300 √ √ √ 10% – – –
Special member 350 √ √ √ 15% – – –
Royal member 450 √ √ √ 15% 15% √ √
