Thosamling Nunnery

Thosamling is one of the few places in the world where nuns from a variety of international backgrounds live together. Rather than belonging to the culture of a particular country, our nuns are asked to develop their own unique community culture. At Thosamling we have had nuns from Holland, Greece, Venezuela, England, Japan, Germany, Philippines, USA, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia. Nuns in Thosamling have free board and lodging. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s  visit in  May 2009, His Holiness is recommending newly ordained nuns without a home nunnery to start their sangha commitment at Thosamling.

We are a non-sectarian Nunnery

Thosamling is a nunnery where all four Tibetan Buddhist Lineages are respected and represented in our practice and study. Non-sectarian practitioners develop proficiency in one of the schools of Kagyu, Nyingma, Sakya or Geluk and then enhance their spiritual practice by seeking out and developing knowledge from the other schools. The various practices and lineages are not diluted or mixed. Rather, this non sectarian approach is recognition of the profoundness of each lineage and tradition. 

Our resident Lama Geshe Tsewang Nyima

Geshe Tsewang Nyima became a Lharampa Geshe in 1980. He was then assigned to Ki Monastery in Spiti by HH Dalai Lama. Here he implemented and taught both modern teaching programs for junior monks and traditional philosophy programs for senior monks and the lay community.

After ten years in Spiti, Geshe-la was requested to assist Drolmaling Nunnery to establish a traditional 12-year Dharma study programme. Two years later he taught Dharma to young Tibetan students in the Norbulingka Institute, as requested by the Department of Preservation of Tibetan Culture. During this time Geshe-la began to research and compile a Vinaya dictionary and he is recognized by his peers as an expert in this area.

As Geshe-la watched Thosamling being built, his interest has been always with us. He offered his teachings to the nuns and residents of Thosamling on a regular basis. Since 2007 Geshe Tsewang Nyima has set up and taught the philosophy program at Thosamling. He also kindly advises the nuns’ community and individuals as requested. With Geshe-la living amongst us we are extremely happy to receive so much support, so many teachings, and ongoing guidance from him. 

Our Location

Our location, near Dharamsala, India, in the quiet fields at the foot of the spectacular Dhauladar Range places us close to significant teachers from all four Buddhist lineages, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa, Khamtrul Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche to name a few. To whatever Buddhist tradition you consider yourself to belong, you will be close to significant teachers.

Joining our community may also offer you a unique opportunity. Besides the Tibetan Language courses, there is the Buddhist Philosophy course which will train you in the debating skills so common in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition. Without a good understanding of debate it is hard to explore the depths of Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy. It is therefore a must to learn how to debate. In May 2009, for the first time in Tibetan language, non-Tibetan nuns offered the traditional debate to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. These nuns, Venezuelan nun Ani Kunsang and Korean nun Ani Chonye from Thosamling debated in Tibetan for His Holiness. 

Our Living Conditions

The living conditions for nuns at Thosamling are simple and comfortable. We understand that for new nuns it takes time to adjust to communal living and for this reason a nun joining our community is provided with her own, single room.
Although nuns at Thosamling are accommodated within their own building and eat their meals with Geshe-la in the sangha dining room, they share the other communal areas of the nunnery with laywomen. There are also male students living off site who participate in the various programs.

Our Study Program

We understand that the idea of signing up for a 12-20 year traditional study program could be overwhelming. At the same time we recognize that a solid foundation in study is essential to sustaining practice and progressing along the path. Thosamling offers:

Fundamentals of Debate – Providing an introduction to Tibetan Buddhist logic and reasoning .
Tibetan Language Program – Providing a range of opportunities to access Dharma in its original language and to learn to understand teaching from our precious Tibetan teachers firsthand without the need of a translator.
Philosophy Study Program – Providing nuns with Tibetan language and debate skills and the opportunity to study traditional Tibetan Monastic texts in a rare and intimate environment.
Lam Rim Class – Providing teachings for a general audience, including a broad range of students from outside Thosamling. Geshe-la currently is leading students through Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara.

The first year introduction to debate and the Lam Rim class, while taught in Tibetan, also includes English translation.

Whether nuns are looking for a solid grounding to sustain their own further practice or for the tools they need to enter a Tibetan Nunnery’s study program, Thosamling can provide an excellent place to start.

In 2010, due to the kindness of our sponsors, nuns will be able to join our Dharma classes free of charge. Nuns will also be able to study our Tibetan Language Course and have their deposit (equal to 50% of the course fees) fully refunded to them on successful completion of the course.
Please see information about our different study programs under either the Tibetan Language Program or Philosophy Study Program. 

Retreats at Thosamling

Thosamling is an excellent place to do retreat.  We always keep rooms available for this purpose.  For more information about what is required in time commitments etc. and the help we can offer you, please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our Training Program

Because being a nun requires a unique set of knowledge and skills, Thosamling is planning training for new nuns to learn a variety of practices. This training program will be taught by Geshe Tsewang Nyima, senior and experienced nuns at Thosamling, and a variety of visiting Sangha members.

Thinking of Visiting or Joining Thosamling?

For more information about what is required in terms of time commitment, practices, and your contribution to the nunnery, please email:
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