The name THOSAMLING was given to the community by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and means a place of study and reflection.  We are an international community of nuns, monks and lay practitioners living and studying within the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition.

Our main focus is to support the growth and flourishing of Dharma throughout the world by providing opportunities to listen to, reflect on and study the teachings of the Buddha in a non – sectarian way.  By providing a place of refuge for newly ordained nuns we give them the firm grounding in the study and practice they need.  By nurturing and supporting the Sangha jewel we in turn create a community that inspires others to practice Dharma for the benefit of all.

As part of our commitment we provide a Tibetan Language Program for the Buddhist community.  Learning Tibetan language is extremely beneficial as it allows direct contact with our precious teachers and the Dharma.  This study also opens one of the few doorways Dharma practitioners have to be able support themselves which is interpreting and translating.

Alongside the Tibetan Language Program, Thosamling also offers a comprehensive program of Buddhist Philosophy taught by Lharampa Geshe Tsewang Nyima.  This program provides a solid grounding in study and debate, again pr

oviding nuns with an opportunity to support themselves through teaching in their home countries.

Geshe Tsewang Nyima is a recognized expert in Vinaya, responsible for establishing study programs in the nearby Drolmaling Nunnery as well as at Ki Gompa in Spiti at the request of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Thosamling provides a unique opportunity for ordained Sangha and those who wish to live with Dharma central to their lives, to learn in a conducive environment.

Elements of Practice such as training in ritual, preliminaries and supported personal retreat are available alongside the Language and Philosophy program.  Community Projects allow participants to see how engaged Buddhism benefits our community.

We are a nonsectarian community drawing inspiration from all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. At our first audience in October 2000 His Holiness the Dalai Lama first became aware of the project and proposed the name Thosamling. In 2004 His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa visited to check our progress, inspire us  and bless the site.  In 2008 HHDL wrote a letter asking others to support Thosamling.  After his visit in may 2009 His Holiness the Dalai Lama is recommending newly ordained nuns without a home nunnery start their sangha commitment at Thosamling nunnery. 

Our location in the quiet fields at the foot of the spectacular Dhauladhar Ranges places us close to significant teachers from all four Buddhist lineages.  These include His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa,  Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche to name a few.  In 2010 we are hoping to be blessed by more auspicious visitors.
Although Thosamling is primarily a nunnery its ability to survive and prosper is dependent on a strong and vibrant international community of Dharma practitioners.  We invite you to learn more about our programs and community and consider making it yours.

"I am impressed with the progress that Thosamling Institute has made so far and happily offer my encouragement and moral support.  I would like to request other people who may also be interested, to extend whatever assistance they can, financial or otherwise, to help ensure the success of this worthy project." - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

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Our Staff at Thosamling