WUNRN
Via WOMEN'S FEATURE SERVICE
India - New Delhi
INDIA - TIBETAN NUN'S PROJECT
By
Elsa Sherin Mathews
Dharamsala (Women's Feature Service) - It has been 12 years since Phuntsok
Lamdon Toelung, 30, made the Dolma Ling Monastery, near Dharamsala in Himachal
Pradesh (HP), her home. As a Tibetan nun, who was behind bars from 1989 to 1992
in the Gutsa and Toelung prisons in Lhasa City, Tibet, Phuntsok has some very
painful memories. She was thrown into jail because she had been part of a
public protest in Lhasa against the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
"At Toelung prison, we had to write a weekly report. Once, a nun was put
into the punishment cell just because her writings were defiant. We
demonstrated within the prison against this treatment. But when she came out of
the cell, I was thrown in there for nine days," Phuntsok recalls. Before
she was let out, Phuntsok was warned that if she ever told the others of the
torture she had undergone in the secluded cell, her prison term would be
increased.
After her release, she went back to the Mechungri nunnery from where she had
studied to become a nun. Unfortunately, Mechungri had a policy of not accepting
ex-prisoners and Phuntsok had to live there in hiding since the police used to
occasionally raid the nunnery. One day, she finally decided to leave for India.
In Dharamsala, the capital of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Phuntsok managed
to get audience with H.H. the Dalai Lama. It was "a dream come true"
for her. She took refuge in the Dolma Ling Monastery. Managed by the Tibetan
Nun's Project (TNP), which is under the patronage of Tibetan Women's League and
supported by the Dalai Lama, Dolma Ling is home to the scores of refugee nuns
who come to India. "Here, we study the Tibetan language, English, Buddhist
philosophy, general science and social studies. My wish is to study hard and
serve my country in every way I can," she says.
When the Project began in 1987, its main purpose was to support the educational
and health care needs of the Tibetan nuns in India. Today, besides providing
for around 650 nuns living in six nunneries, it plans to build the Sakya Nuns
College, a housing facility; and the Sherab Choeling Institute, a religious
educational institute for the women of Spiti.
The TNP has worked towards improving the standards of food, sanitation, medical
care, basic education and training in the nunneries in and around Dharamsala.
In addition, it has introduced a sponsorship programme for nuns from all
religious orders of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and even for those living
on their own or in retreat.
Most of the nuns, who come to India after trudging miles in the snow and slush,
are illiterate, as they come from nomadic or pastoral communities. Also,
traditionally, Tibetan nuns, or 'ani' as they are known, are not encouraged to
study philosophy like the monks - their main focus is on prayer.
However, at Dolma Ling, a non-sectarian monastery, English, Tibetan and
computer-training are a part of the curriculum for Buddhist nuns. They enroll
for a 13-year study programme in the religious tradition after which they are
eligible for a Geshe degree, the equivalent of a Ph.D. Along with this they
study the necessary traditional ritual arts and crafts.
According to Dolma Tsering, Project Coordinator, TNP India, it takes about
seven years for the nuns to finish the Pharchin (Perfection of Wisdom) course,
the equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts degree. Thereafter, while some go in for a
three-year rigorous study of Madhyamika, to enrich their understanding of
Buddhist philosophy, others opt for a Rignay course - Tibetan language and
literature. On completing the Rignay, the nuns can undergo the teachers'
training programme and become Tibetan language teachers in their own nunnery or
in other Tibetan schools. Dolma Ling has 14 teachers - six teach Buddhist
philosophy, four teach Tibetan language, three teach English and one teaches
rituals.
As a test of skills, a special month-long inter-nunnery debate session is
organised. "Buddhist philosophy, the main focus of study here, is further
strengthened by a debate session called 'Jang Gonchoe'. In this style of debate
the nuns and monks stamp their feet and clap their hands to make a point. It is
usually held in an open courtyard," reveals Tsering.
Of course, the nuns are really happy that they have an opportunity to study.
"The TNP helped me with my studies. Qualified teachers are always there to
assist us. We are also able to learn the use of computers every day. I am very
grateful to TNP for providing us with such a study programme," says Tenzin
Choeden, 28, who has studied Buddhist philosophy for 11 years, as well as the
Tibetan language. She had arrived in Dharamsala in 1990.
Besides education, the other major concern of TNP is health. "The
facilities are limited. The six nunneries we support - Dolma Ling, Shugsep,
Geden Choeling, Tilokpur, Sakya and Sherab Choeling - only have a small clinic
each. Since 1996, we have made provisions for the nuns to be trained as health
care providers. But they are trained to treat only minor illnesses. All major
cases are referred to the Tibetan Delek Hospital, run by the Tibetan Government
in Exile, and other local hospitals. Sometimes they are referred to hospitals
in other states in India as well," Tsering explains.
Incidentally, the TNP also lends support to nuns who are not associated with
any monastery. Currently, there are about 138 such nuns under their care. They
usually approach the project through the Mcleodganj office. Most of them are
too old to study and stay in retreat. So, the TNP helps them by providing a
monthly stipend, medical assistance and a yearly shoe allowance.
While the good work of TNP is funded through donations and individual sponsors,
at least the Dolma Ling Nunnery hopes to become self sufficient in the long
run.
In an effort to do so, the nuns make products such as dolls, door hangings and
cloth bags that are sold through an online store -
http://www.tnp.org/products.php. "Dolma Ling nuns make cards and envelopes
by recycling waste paper. We also have a tailoring section where they make
items such as robes for nuns, door curtains with Tibetan symbols on them, small
bead bags, cellphone cases, monk's shopping bags and apron bags. These products
are on display at a small shop in the nunnery. Some of it is also
exported," says Tsering.
(Courtesy: Women's Feature Service)
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