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As of today there are 160 nuns living in the nunnery. The emphasis of life in the nunnery is to provide the proper foundation and education for monastic training, the study/practice of the Buddha's teachings, Tibetan language and culture, and English.
The level of education of the nuns entering Geden Choeling is quite varied. Most of the nuns coming from Tibet had no opportunity for any formal education and therefore must begin by learning the Tibetan alphabet. Others have had some years of schooling in Tibetan and Indian schools. The average age of nuns entering Geden Choeling is around twenty, although we do occasionally have nuns as young as ten with a few resident nuns in their seventies.
Many of the nuns who have been in residence for some years will go on to study for the degree of Geshe. After attaining the Geshe degree, they will become teachers for the nunnery as well as communities in the area and abroad.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND POSITIONS IN THE NUNNERY
There are a variety of different responsibilities within in the nunnery. The Abbot (Khenpo) has the highest authority in the nunnery. He oversees our training in meditation, philosophy and debate. The Disciplinarian (Gekoe) is next in authority and oversees discipline and attendance.
The chanting master (Umze) initiates and leads the prayers. There are two secretaries who correspond with sponsors, other offices and take care of all the responsibilities in the nunnery. Two kitchen managers do the shopping and the kitchen accounts. The two accountants are in charge of the funds. There are two caretakers of the temple who manage the organization and presentation of the offerings. Two more nuns look after the water supply and electricity issues. All these positions are elected and most are kept for more than two years, except the Abbot who remains for three years. Throughout their life in the nunnery, most nuns gain experience in all these different tasks.
OUR APPEAL Living in exile, under the guidance and leadership of H.H the Dalai Lama, many educational centers and retreat facilities for Buddhist practitioners have been established. Inside Tibet, the many brave nuns and monks continue their non-violent struggle for freedom and peace. They suffer imprisonment, torture and other forms of persecution at the hands of the communist authorities. Thus, many have been forced to flee to India in order to continue their monastic way of life. In order to continue admitting new nuns we have to constantly expand the nunnery. As a result we are always in need of more support and funding.
Problems:
1.
Congested accommodations
2.
Insufficient classrooms and residence
3.
Lack of infrastructure
4.
Improvement of sanitation
5.
Mal-Nutrition
6.
Health care
Solutions:
1.
Construction of nun's residence
2.
Construction of classrooms
3.
Sponsorship program 4. Health and sanitation
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O holy and venerable Lama, from the clouds of compassion That form in the skies of your
Dharmakaya wisdom Please release a rain of vast and profound Dharma Precisely in accordance with the needs of those to be trained.
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Another Project Donated by www.tibetech.org This site was last updated 01/22/08. Copyright 2004 Geden Choeling Nunnery. |
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