Daily Life at a Nunnery

• All the nunneries have special pujas on the 10th and 25th of every month.
• The 10th is Guru Rinpoche’s holy day and the 25th is Dakini Day.
• 15th of the first month is Buddha Miraculous Day (Chomtrul Dawa).
• 15th of the fourth month, the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and entered Nirvana (Duechen Nga Zom).
• 4th of the sixth month is the Turning of the Dharma Wheel.
• The 22nd of every month is Descending of Buddha from Tushita Heaven.

All these dates are based on the Bhutanese Calendar. Some nunneries have more pujas, but here the most common dates are noted. One can sponsor the events or one’s desired pujas; it is an opportunity to gain merit. One may make the request in person or by contacting the nunneries.

Ritual College

A Ritual College (Dratshang) is a place where novices learn to read and write calligraphy, memorize prayers, ritual texts, learn the art of Lama Dance, making ritual cakes (torma), and learn hymns and rhyme of rituals. These novices are also taught grammar and poetry and basic philosophical texts.

Monastic College

A Monastic College (Shedra) is an institute for higher Buddhist learning. It focuses on studies, language, literature and philosophy. After completing a seven-year and nine-year course, one obtains a bachelor’s and master’s degree respectively, and further continues studies for a PhD.

Retreat Center

A Retreat Center (Drupdey) is a place for intensive Buddhist practice and meditation. These centers have provisions for the Ngondro or preliminary practice, leading up to a 3-year retreat or other meditative practices. Lifelong retreats can also be practiced in such a center.

Bibliography

Click here for a Zotero Bibliography.