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Jamyang Choling Institute |
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Jamyang Choling Institute (JCI) is an innovative education project that nurtures the spiritual and intellectual potential of Buddhist women, and operates under the auspices of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Department of Religious & Cultural Affairs of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. JCI was founded by Ven. Karma Lekshe Tsomo (an American Buddhist nun) in 1988 to educate Himalayan Buddhist nuns and laywomen who would otherwise have no opportunity to receive any formal secular or spiritual education.
JCI has been staffed by its nuns from the very beginning, and since the year 2000 they have taken full responsibility for planning the Institute's future, raising funds and communicating with sponsors and friends, in addition to the day to day management.
Currently there are 125 students and 7 teachers at JCI. The students range in age from 12 to 54 and come from various parts of the Himalayan region, including Tibet. There are 118 nuns and 7 lay students. The Institute has a program that requires over 17 years of intense study to complete, and is equivalent to the program of study required for a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. The program not only covers Buddhist philosophy but also includes courses in meditation, Tibetan, English, Hindi, and computer and administration skills. |
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The nuns have been participating in the annual nuns' debate every year since 1995. The 2005 and 2008 debate took place at JCI (Gharoh) and around 250 nuns attended, coming from 8 different nunneries from India and Nepal. This was a wonderful opportunity for nuns to share knowledge and wisdom, also to deepen our understanding of the Buddhist teachings. The senior nuns are completing of their degree in Buddhist philosophy from JCI this year, 2009. The nuns have been undertaking primary health training and computer literacy training. Nuns also cook healthy vegetarian meals, participate in the daily prayers, and help with the chores, such as gardening, cleaning and taking care of the cows.
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The Institute started from humble beginnings in Dharamsala but great progress has been made in building living facilities and creating a suitable environment at the Institute’s land at Gharoh, near Sidphur, about 20 kms from Dharamsala
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His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama came to bless and consecrate Jamyang Choling Institute’s new assembly hall on May 16, 2009. It was a great honour as His Holiness has a very busy schedule. His Holiness also gave advice and imparted profound teachings on several important verses from Arya Nagarjuna’s eloquent treatise, “The Fundamental Wisdom” (“Mula-madhyamaka”).
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Jamyang Choling Institute became a project of the Tibetan Friendship Group at the end of 2003 when Tenzin Atisha, representative of HHDL in Australia asked for our assistance. We have been able to give general donations from various fund raising activities and currently sponsor one nun. JCI needs sponsors for the new young nuns and ongoing help for their day-to-day survival. TFG feels that sponsorship is one of the best ways to help these young women so is looking for more sponsors. The cost is $360, which pays for food and shelter. Nuns will write to their sponsors during breaks from their rigorous study schedules. The nuns do not have regular access to email and will post letters and cards to their sponsors.
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Please go to www.jamchoebuddhistdialectics.org if you would like further information about Jamyang Choling Institute
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Jamyang Choling Nunnery
