Dear Friends,

We are very happy to share with you – our friends and patrons across the globe – some of the highlights of the Silver Jubilee celebrations at Dongyu Gatsal Ling (DGL) Nunnery in October to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the nunnery. As Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo recounts in the talk she gave during the celebrations (see video below), the nunnery was created from very humble beginnings with the strong support of the monks at Khampagar monastery who continue to provide spiritual direction for the nuns.

Jetsunma expresses the “great joy and profound gratitude” she and all of us engaged with the nunnery feel as we celebrate this milestone in the history of DGL n nunnery. None of this would have been possible without the many supporters who have given so generously of their time and resources to bring this place of practice and study for Tibetan Buddhist nuns into form. For this we offer our heartfelt thanks!

Video: Jetsunma speaking at the Silver Jubilee celebrations at DGL, October 2024.

In this newsletter, in addition to reporting on the Silver Jubilee celebrations at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, we also include a brief report on happenings this year at each of the nunneries/projects under the auspices of Jetsunma. With Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo no longer traveling and giving dharma talks to raise funds for the nunnery, we are also turning our focus to the Endowment Fund for DGL nunnery (see below).

At this time of so much conflict in the world, we are mindful that the teachings of the Buddha offer a path to less strife and suffering for individuals and nations alike. We offer prayers for world peace and thank you for supporting our mission.

In gratitude and with best wishes to all of you,

DGLI Board of Directors

Linda, Lillia, May Ling, Lindsay and Chrysanne

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Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery

The highlights of this past year at the nunnery were the 25th Anniversary celebrations as well as the installation of four Khenmos and four Togdenmas at DGL. The Togdenmas have been in retreat for 16 years under the guidance of the Togdens at Khampagar monastery. There are currently 15 nuns in long-term retreat at DGL. All the nuns at DGL complete a silent two-month retreat during the monsoon season alongside a rigorous program of study and meditation practice.

Gebchak

Over the past year, the wider Gebchak community has gathered regularly for training and prayer ceremonies. Your support has been vital in facilitating these gatherings and supporting the nuns’ health.

Food and essential supplies were provided to the nuns for their transformative 100-day and 3-year retreats, and to others gathered for ongoing community prayer rituals (drubchens). A small residence for a nun-teacher (Khenmo) was established, alongside a retreat house at a lower altitude for elderly nuns to ensure their comfort and accessibility.

The Gebchak nuns extend their sincere gratitude for your support of their practice tradition.

Laphag

Drubga Rinpoche visited Laphag in early November. There are currently 156 nuns at the nunnery; about 20 new nuns joined in 2024.The nuns are doing three-month retreats, 30 nuns at a time, throughout the year.

New robes were distributed to all. The dining area was extended this year to better accommodate the nuns. There are plans to build five to six retreat huts next year as there is currently insufficient accommodation for the nuns.

The nuns at Laphag are very grateful for the support they receive.

Tayul

Jetsunma visited Tayul Gompa in July and met Ani Zangmo, who is now 91 years old but still going strong, Ani Lhamo (85) and Ani Angmo (68). Ani Zangmo will spend this coming winter in Kullu with her niece as winter in Lahaul is now too harsh for her.

Following the visit to Tayul, Jetsunma journeyed to Chukta gompa and met the six nuns who live there, remaining for a six-week retreat. Chukta nuns helped to replaster Jetsunma's cave.

The other gompa that received funding was Lapchang where one nun, Ani Rigzin Dolma (78), is in residence.

The funds gratefully received from DGLI were divided among these 10 nuns.

Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns

The Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns (ANHN) was registered earlier this year as a non-profit organization in the US.

In March 2024, for the first time ever, the ANHN hosted its inaugural ‘Gathering’ of nuns from across the world. Thirty-seven non-Himalayan nuns ranging in age from 21 to 79 from 17 countries in the Americas and Europe, as well as Russia, Australia, and Slovenia, spent several weeks at Thosamling Nunnery in Dharamshala focusing on issues concerning non-Himalayan nuns. It was a resounding success.

This global sangha of nuns is now joyfully connected! From all over the world they now meet once a month online to practice together and support each other. The network of support cannot be underestimated.

Two articles written by nuns who attended the Gathering were published after the event in Lion's Roar and Buddhist Door.

A documentary film was also made in Russian about the Gathering, which led to a group of nuns in Russia hosting their first online conference.

The ANHN and its volunteer group have plans to introduce many new seminars, teachings and hopefully, with your support, another Gathering at some point in the future!

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Dongyu Gatsal Ling Endowment

In this year of the Silver Jubilee, we are casting our minds to the next 25 years and beyond to ensure the nuns have the resources to sustain themselves. The best way for us to do this is to grow the DGL Endowment. We established the Endowment in the United States some time ago and have accumulated a modest amount, which is managed by a professional investment firm.

We’d like to invite you to honor Jetsunma and express your gratitude for her tireless work for DGL and Buddhist nuns in general by donating to the DGL Endowment. Donors in the United States are able to make tax-deductible contributions.

To receive more detailed information about the Endowment and how to make bequests, please email us at info@dgli.org. You may also visit our website: www.dgli.org/the-dgl-endowment.

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Please support us by following our social media outreach on Facebook and Instagram with news of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and our Nunnery projects.

About Us

Dongyu Gatsal Ling Initiatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States. For residents of the US, your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

DGL Initiatives supports the mission of our Spiritual Director, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. We are dedicated to improving the education standards and living conditions of Tibetan Buddhist female monastics and their communities.

Offering Service

If you are interested in volunteering for DGL Initiatives, we would love to hear from you! We are interested in candidates who are tech savvy and have good writing skills and a willingness to make a long-term commitment. Please click on the link below to complete our online application form to tell us more about yourself and your interests. Thank you!

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