Day in the Life of Tibetan Buddhist Nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery

This short video shows a typical day in the life of Tibetan Buddhist nuns using photos by Brian Harris taken at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute, a non-sectarian nunnery located in the Kangra valley near Dharamsala, northern India.

Officially inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on December 8, 2005, the nunnery is fully funded by the Tibetan Nuns Project and was the first institute dedicated specifically to higher Buddhist education for Tibetan Buddhist nuns from all traditions.

Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute is unique because it offers a 17-year curriculum of traditional Buddhist philosophy and debate as well as modern courses in Tibetan language, English, basic mathematics, and computer skills. The nuns also receive training in the ritual arts such as sand mandalas and butter sculpture. The nunnery was successfully completed after 12 years of hard work and the nuns themselves worked to help build the nunnery.

Currently, 238 nuns are fully engaged in study, practice, nunnery work, and self-sufficiency projects such as tofu making and handicrafts. In May 2013, 10 Dolma Ling nuns made history when they appeared for the first year Geshema exams.

To learn more about the work of the Tibetan Nuns Project or to sponsor a nun visit www.tnp.org.