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.

Why Thosamling is different to other nunneries?

We are an International Nuns Community

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. By learning about and appreciating each other our minds become more flexible and harmonious and our capacity to reason is developed as we examine our own beliefs and practices.

Currently at Thosamling we have nuns from Holland, Greece, Venezuela, England, USA, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia.

Here’s what Venerable Thubten Chodron had to say about the benefits of living in an International Nuns Community when she visited in April 2009

We are nonsectarian

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 nonsectarian approach is recognition of the profoundness of each lineage and tradition.

Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche says of non sectarianism that it “…. should not be understood as a sort of new age movement where everything is collected under one roof. Dissolving sectarianism is the essence of Rime. Historically humans have suffered because of their attachment to their countries, concepts and especially religions.”

Our Resident Lama is an expert in Vinaya

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 twelve year Dharma study programme. Two years later Geshe-la was requested to teach dharma to young Tibetan students in the Norbulingka Institute 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.

Since 2007 Geshe-la has kindly been teaching the philosophy program at Thosamling. He also kindly advises the nuns’ community and individuals as requested.

Our Location

Our location in the quiet fields at the foot of the spectacular Dhualladar 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. Whatever Buddhist tradition you consider yourself to belong to; you will be close to significant teachers. Living in this area provides you with unique opportunity to have teachings and participate in a whole calendar of Buddhist events conducted by eminent lamas.

Joining our community may also offer you a unique opportunity. In May 2009, a Venezuelan nun Ani Kunsang and Korean nun Ani Chonye from Thosamling debated in Tibetan for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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 nuns joining our community are provided with their own rooms.

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.

For more information about accommodation please see – Staying at Thosamling.

Our Study Program

We understand that signing up for a 12-20 year traditional study program is daunting. 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 logic and reasoning

Tibetan Language Program – Providing a range of opportunities to access Dharma in its original form and our precious teachers firsthand.

And Petri Classes – Providing nuns with Tibetan and debate skills the opportunity to study the traditional Tibetan Monastic texts in a rare and intimate environment.

Whether nuns are looking for a solid grounding to sustain their own further practice or for the tools they need to enter a Tibetan Nunneries 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 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.

Our Training Program

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

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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