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His EminenceKhamtrul Rinpoche IXS P I R I T U A L D I R E C T O RDr. Karan SinghDr. Bhupendra Kumar ModiP A T R O N SGATSALN E W S L E T T E R O F T H EISSUE No.24 Dongy u Gatsa l Ling Nunnery OCTOBER 2010

Dear friends,Once again it is time to presentanother Gatsal Newsletter to chronicleour activities of the last few months.In the spring I travelled to Vietnamto attend a very successful Sakyadhita[Daughters of the Buddha] conferenceand visited a Nunnery in the hillsbeyond Hanoi which follows the DrukpaKagyu tradition. It was very moving andquite surreal to witness 70 Vietnamesenuns performing a 2 hour Chöd ritualin Tibetan!An important event earlier thisyear was the Annual Drukpa Councilheld at the Druk Amitabha Mountainnunnery situated on a hill behind theSwyambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu.His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpawanted 800 nuns to assemble for themain week-long ceremonies and so ourDGL nuns went along accompanied byKhenpo Ngawang Zangpo and theirEnglish teacher Charanjit Singh. It wasa 3 day bus ride in the heat but thenuns were very happy to participate insuch an auspicious event and see manynew sights. The ADC is attended bythousands of people from around theglobe but especially from the Himalayanregions of Ladakh, Bhutan, Garsha, Spitiand Kinnaur.After Nepal I went on to Australiafor the Mitra youth conference and thenspent a few days in Singapore on the wayback to India. In both countries it waslovely to meet with dear old friends againand cultivate some lovely new ones.In May the majority of our nunsleft for their annual holidays aftercompleting their exams. Howeverthe 26 nun newcomers remain at theNunnery since they are not permitted toreturn home for the first two years. Theyattended the daily rituals and also hadclasses in English and Tibetan. Many ofthem were also learning the first part ofthe Preliminary Practices [Ngöndro]from their nun Genla Yeshe Wangmo inpreparation for the general retreat later.Therefore in June these DGLnew nuns and all the staff attendedthe Inauguration of H.E. DorzongRinpoche’s temple at Jangchub Jongwhich was presided over by our spiritualdirector H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche.Everyone - both monastic and lay -attended from Tashi Jong and it wasa joyful occasion lasting for 4 days.Jangchub Jong is situated on a beautifulforested ridge high above the Kangravalley overlooking the snow mountainsand the terraced paddy fields below. Atthe height of the ceremony a rainbowappeared in the sky above the monastery.Nowadays most of our nuns areimmersed in their annual 2 monthretreat for the Rainy Season. Apartfrom chanting the nuns have chosen topractice silence throughout the retreat.The retreat provides a welcome breakfrom the academic program during therest of the year.So as not to disturb the retreatants,the newcomer nuns who do not yet havea sufficient knowledge of the Tibetanlanguage, are continuing with theirlanguage classes while camped out in amakeshift dormitory and classroom inthe Study Centre, which they look on assomething of an adventure.We thank all our well-wishers andsponsors around the world who oncemore have helped so much to make thisNunnery a continuing success.2 G A T S A L I S S U E 2 4

RecentOrdinationsDuring the past 10 months 2 groups of young nunshave been ordained by Khamtrul Rinpoche. Theyincluded nuns from Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling,Zanskar, Kinnaur and Lahoul in India, plus one nunfrom Bhutan. Most of these young women had beenat DGL Nunnery for some months, joining in studiesand pujas with the ordained nuns.The evening before ordination the girls had theirheads shaved by older nuns and were shown how towear robes. This ceremony is of great significanceto the young women and most of them pray quietlywhile their heads are shaved.On the morning of ordination they put on theirrobes for the first time and met with Jetsunmawho accompanied them to Tashi Jong Monastery.Jetsunma took the young women into the temple andshowed them the statues of the Drukpa Kargyu lineageholders and also the stupa of the previous KhamtrulRinpoche.Khamtrul Rinpoche was assisted by Togden Achoein the ordination ceremony. Once ordained, TogdenAchoe addressed the nuns as Cho-la or ‘respected nun’.On return to DGL Nunnery the new nuns lookedvery happy and shy as they were warmly greeted bytheir older ‘sister’ nuns.The new nuns have settled in very well and aredoing very well at their studies. The newer nuns areusually given the job of serving meals to Khenpo-la.They take it in turns doing this for several monthsat a time with an older nun. They then move on togradually taking on other roles in addition to theirstudies. It has been found that this helps to build theirconfidence and to gradually feel that they are activelyinvolved in the running of their nunnery.O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0 G A T S A L 3

BIOGRAPHY OF THE NUNS’ TEACHERLoponma Tsering LhamoI am Loponma Tsering Lhamo from Namdrolling Nunnery.I am from the Yolmo Valley in Nepal. There are 4family members in our house. They are, my father Rinzin,my mother Khado, my brother Tenzin and I.I studied in English New Public School for two years,then later my brother and I both studied at school inShimla for six years. I had to start from 1st grade becauseI did not know Tibetan. After that I studied in KathmanduNepal for 2 years.Once I had finished my schooling I became a nun inNamdrolling in the year of 1993. Only 20 nuns were thereat that time. In those days we learned ritual pujas from lamasand also studied grammar in private. Sometimes wereceived teachings from Khenpo Pema Sherab. In 1996we were allowed to study for the first time in the Shedra(the school where the monks were trained). In the 9 yearcourse we studied Madhyamika, (The Middle Way), Logic,Prajñaparamita, Abhidharma and Vinaya, plus Tantrictexts. We also studied grammar, poetry, Tibetan Historyand the growth of Buddhism. We did one month’s Ngondroand Dzogchen retreats each year. We also receivedempowerments.In 1997 I became the Kyorpon. So the situation wasa little hard for me as for one whole year I had to teachtwo classes and I hardly got time to learn my own lessons.To find the time for my own studies I used to wake up at12:00 midnight or 1:00am. I used to memorise hundredsof pages. But, due to little time I did not have time to revise.So, I did my revision while taking my bath or washingmy clothes. I didn’t even have time to notice whethermy clothes were perfectly tidy or not. Some time later afriend told me “Do you know you used to wear very fadedrobes’? I did not recognize this myself. Sometimes I sleptin my robes and in the morning I only had time to makeit straight.Anyway, I feel I am so lucky to have had this chanceto study in the Shedra at the very beginning. I was evenluckier to become a disciple of H.H. Penor Rinpoche whois a Buddha himself in this degenerate time.We finished our Shedra studies in 2004. From 2005we started to have Nuns who are Lopons. (Lopon meansqualified teacher) I have been teaching as a Lopon since2005.In 2006 I also worked as principle in Junior school. In2009 I was invited to teach at DGL Nunnery. So, here Iam, so impressed to see Jetsunma. She is a good inspirationfor all nuns. I enjoy teaching here a lot. In 2011 anotherLopon from Namdrolling is coming to teach here inmy place. I hope very much that the relationship betweenDGL Nunnery and Namdrolling Nunnery will continuefor many years into the future. There surely was a relationshipin the past, which is why we have all gatheredhere through our motivation, supplication and karma.And this relationship will continue until enlightenment.BIOGRAPHY OF DEBATING TEACHERGetsulma Yeshe LhamoI am Getsulma Yeshe Lhamo. I am from Jangchup ChoelingNunnery in South India. I was born in 1974 in easternBhutan at a place called Tashigang.My father’s name was Norbu Tsering and my motherwas Photimo. Until I was 9 years old I helped my parentsweave carpets and herd cows. Sometimes I also helpedthem in selling small things. My father died when I wasonly 12. Then I started learning a little reading and writingat the local monastery.I saw a lot of suffering in my country particularlyamongst the women. When young women marry theyenter a life of hardship, caring for their children and husband,plus looking after the animals and farm. Althoughas a married woman I would be looking after these beings,I thought that as a nun my life would be more valuable asI could work for the happiness of all beings.At the age of 18 I went to Jangchub Choeling Nunneryin South India. I took ordination there. I then had the opportunityto study Madhyamika, Vinaya, Prajñaparamita,Logic and Abhidharma.Soon after becoming a nun I faced many problemssuch as illness. Sometimes this meant I could not study,but I never regretted my decision to become a nun. I hadno money to buy medicines, so I was only able to pray tobecome healthy again.I never thought to return to my homeland, becausethere I would not have the chance to read the texts andattend classes.I also learned a little about science in my spare time.This has always been an interest. During my 18 years ofstudy I also taught Dhudra (classes for debating and logic).I finished studying in 2007. For 11 years I attendeddebating competitions with other Nunneries. In 1995 forthe first time nuns began debating in front of the HH theDalai Lama, and I was so happy to get the chance to debatein front of him. In my Nunnery the other nuns then votedthat I become their debating teacher.In 2008 I was invited to teach debating at DGL Nunnery.Here, I have enjoyed teaching for the last 2 years. 3evenings a week when she is at the Nunnery Jetsunma hasgiven me English lessons. I have been very happy to spendthis time with her.My hope for the future is to start a Nunnery in my owncountry Bhutan to give other young women the chance towork as nuns for the benefit of all beings.Opposite, from left to right, Getsulma Yeshe Lhamo,Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Loponma Tsering Lhamo4 G A T S A L I S S U E 2 4

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Lobsang DrolmaS E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 0 G A T S A L 7

AT LHABBABDUCHENTHE NUNS’PRINCIPALTEACHERNGAWANGZANGPO ISAWARDEDHIS KHENPODEGREEby Drimay PalmoVenerable Khenpo NgawangZangpo was born in Tibet. He grewup with his noble parents. Realizingthe lack of satisfaction to be found ineveryday life, he gave up his worldlylife and became a monk. He soongained good knowledge about the realmeaning of all phenomena.In 2004 he was determined tocome to India after his Monasterywas closed by the Chinese. He cameto India the same year. Once there hestrived to listen, reflect and practicethe Dharma. He became a genuinescholar.Due to the kindness of the TashiJong’s senior Khenpos and staff theysent such a nice Khenpo to teach us.He has been teaching us since 2008.Khenpo Ngawang deals with all of hisstudents with compassion.He obtained the formal title ofKhenpo this year on 22nd November.This day is very auspicious in theBuddhist calendar because LordBuddha descends from TushitaHeaven after teaching the Dharma tohis mother. The celebration of thisanniversary was organised at TashiJong Monastery.The ceremony started at 9:30am.First mantras were chanted. H.E.Khamtrul Rinpoche, DorzongRinpoche, Choegon Rinpoche andChoegyal Rinpoche were all there aswell as a Rinpoche from Dharamsala.Many other Sangha members werethere including our Jetsunma TenzinPalmo, and all of the nuns from DGLNunnery.Dorzong Rinpoche and theRinpoche from Dharamsala gavespeeches about how to become a goodfollower of the Buddha.His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpochethen gave certificates to our KhenpoNgawang and the other Khenpo. Afterthat, each one of us present in the halloffered Khatas to the Khenpos andto Khamtrul Rinpoche as a mark ofrespect and honour.Another ceremony was waiting forus at DGL. Choegon Rinpoche cameto visit us at 3-00pm. He was given awarm welcome by Jetsunma and thenuns and took the high seat to give ussome advice. He also offered specialprayers to the newly built statues in thenew puja hall. He took a keen interestin the building work which was goingon in the main temple. He also madesome valuable suggestions.At 7:00pm our puja started.We had decorated the puja hall ina delectable manner. Some of theguests attended the puja including ourEnglish teacher and all the DGL staff.They all showed keen interest.Then the DGL nuns gave speecheson the Dharma. This was followedby an interesting religious debate bysome of the nuns. It generated a lot ofinterest, especially when our Gen-laand Khenpo-la joined in.The puja came to an end at9:00pm. At last, we dedicated all ourmerit for the benefit of all sentientbeings. It was a really memorable dayfor each one of us.8 G A T S A L I S S U E 2 4

M A N UDGL Site ManagerI am DGL Nunnery’s site manager. My name isManish Kumar, but I am known as Manu. I am froma farming family near Yol, about one hour’s drivefrom DGL. I married some years ago and have a smallson who is 3 years old.I joined DGL Nunnery staff in 2001. I cameto DGL with qualifications as a draftsman and withsome years experience building mudbrick houses forDidi Contractor, an old friend of Jetsunma TenzinPalmo. Didi trained me for many years and whenJetsunma needed someone to manager the Nunnerysite, Didi suggested me.Over the years I have worked closely with thearchitect and the contractors. In the beginningwe had many obstacles to overcome but work hasproceeded and now we are nearing the final stages.We have nearly completed the traditional Temple inconsultation with Dugu Choegyal Rinpoche and LamaLodro, and we are working on a small guesthouse, theboundaries and the site landscaping.I do many things at DGL. For example, I findthe site labourers and supervise their work and thecontractors’ workers also. I work with the architectsand contractors on the plans; find suppliers, obtainbest prices and order materials like steel, cement andwood, etc. I check the contractors’ bills for paymentand pay the site workers. I am helped by the siteassistants Sanju and Krishan who are extremelyreliable and efficient and have worked with me formany years.I am very satisfied with my job and have alwaysfelt part of the DGL family. I think of my work likeit’s for my family. I am very much proud to work forJetsunma and the Nunnery.O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0 G A T S A L 9

Continued from page 6Our Trip to Nepalby Tashi ChotsoOn the 21st March 2010 we went to Nepal by bus. HisHoliness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa had arranged forour long journey. We left for Delhi in the evening andarrived at 9-00am the next morning. There we changedbuses for the trip to Nepal. We arrived at the border atmidday on the 23rd. We stayed at the border for morethan 8 hours, and then started the last leg of the journey.We arrived at Swyambhunath on the 24th.We were then taken to Druk Amitabha in smallervehicles. The whole journey was interesting and full ofadventure.HH Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche invited all theDGL nuns to attend the 2nd ADC. He invited 800 nunsof the Drukpa lineage. Once there we did pujas for 7days. It was such a beautiful place. We received blessingsfrom many high lamas and Rinpoches.Jetsunma took us to see His Holiness and he gave usa blessing and a teaching.The Druk Amitabha nuns were very good at Pujasand ritual dances. They are doing their own work verynicely. We also saw 30' bronze statues of Buddha Amitabhaand a 35' statue of the omniscient one PadmaKarpo.On the 30th March we went for a circumambulationof the Swyambhunath Stupa for purification of negativekarma and the accumulation of merit.We enjoyed the delicious traditional vegetarianmeals prepared by special volunteer chefs from Bhutan,Nepal and Vietnam. Really, it was a wonderful journeyfor us.Our Trip to DrukAmitabhaby Samtem ChodronFirst of all I think I was so lucky and fortunate to jointhis Nunnery and get a chance to visit Nepal for thefirst time. It is thanks to Jetsunma that I went, becauseshe has such a good relationship with HH DrukchenRinpoche, and that is why we were invited to Nepal.I never thought that I should ever receive teachingsfrom him. He taught us about virtue and non-virtue,and inspired us all to practice the Dharma sincerely.Rinpoche told us that faith and compassion are veryimportant.There were so many monks, nuns and lay peoplethere from many countries. Every day we were givendelicious food, and all of the other nuns were veryfriendly. They took us on a two day pilgrimage, whichwe enjoyed very much.There were 2 performances by the nuns of DrukAmitabha. We were asked to participate in the performance.The nuns could do the religious dances verywell. All those present enjoyed it and applauded, and Ifelt really surprised that the Druk Amitabha nuns wereso talented.So that is the life which we enjoyed and spent happilyin Nepal. During the ADC we got a chance to circumambulatethe Swyambhunath stupa in the middleof the night. We were supposed to complete 13 koras.At 12 mid night we set out on foot and did not completethe koras until 9-30am.I felt so tired after completing only 4 koras, but wewere so lucky to get this chance to walk along withRinpoche and after we went back by taxi.How to Support the Nuns at DGLJetsunma Tenzin Palmo and the nuns at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery thank our supporters in a mostheartfelt manner. Your kindness helps our Nunnery to flourish and keep the Dharma alive. Sponsoringa nun costs the equivalent of US$365 a year.Cheques should be made payable to ‘Dongyu Gatsal Ling Trust’ and posted to:Dongyu Gatsal Ling NunneryVillage Lower Mutt, P.O. Padhiarkhar, Via TaragarhDistt. Kangra, H.P. 176081, IndiaAnyone wishing to make a donation to DGL Nunnery via Tenzin Palmo’s account in their own countryby Swift or Telegraphic Transfer, please email Eliz Dowling for details on eliz_palmo@hotmail.comFor further information or to contact Tenzin Palmo please email DGL on dgloffice@gatsal.orgDongyu Gatsal Ling Trust is registered in India as a charitable organization designated for the support ofDongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery and its activities.10 G A T S A L I S S U E 2 4

Trinley Paltso, left, with fellow DGL nuns.About Myselfby Trinley PaltsoI am Trinley Paltso. I am 16 years old and was born in Kinnaur.I was sent to a village primary school at the age of five. Then Istudied in a high school up to the middle standard.At that time I began to feel that there is too muchsuffering in the world. I used to get sick myself after seeingsomeone in physical or mental pain. Certain diseases werea recurring phenomenon around me, such as headache,stomach pain, backache, fever etc.Poverty was a different kind of suffering. I began tosearch for a cause for all these problems so that I could helpmyself and other sentient beings.Slowly, I began to realise that Buddhism had an answer toall these endless problems. I could help with others’ sufferingif I could be ordained as a Buddhist Nun in a good Nunnery.One day, I heard about DGL Nunnery near Palampur,founded by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. I was lucky to beaccepted by this Nunnery three years back. I am quite happyhere and doing my best to study and practice Dharma in adedicated manner.I have no doubt in my mind that I will succeed one dayin achieving my aim fully.I shall spread the message of Lord Buddha all over theworld and help others to put an end to their suffering bybecoming the true followers of the Tathagata. Then there willbe complete equanimity and harmony in the world. I praythat I shall live to see the fulfillment of my humble dreams.O C T O B E R 2 0 1 0 G A T S A L 11

BY A IR M A ILTo:From:Dongyu Gatsal Ling NunneryVILLAGE LOWER MUTTP.O. PADHIARKHAR, VIA TARAGARHDISTRICT KANGRA (HP) 176081 - INDIA