Dharamshala: The 30th anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project marks the ground-breaking era of empowering Tibetan women through scholarship and education, President Dr Lobsang Sangay of Central Tibetan Administration, said today at the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project at Dolma ling Nunnery.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President declared that the occasion was symbolic for many reasons.
“Accomplishments of the Tibetan Nuns Project over the years including the re-establishment of one of the most illustrious Tibetan Nunneries in Tibet and laying the groundwork for highest Buddhist education for Tibetan nuns have made significant contributions to the revival of Tibetan Buddhism in exile.”
He expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for inspiring the successful revival of Tibetan culture and resilience of the people in the most challenging times.
“Due to the vision and grace of His Holiness, exile establishments: the Tibetan Medical Institute; the Institute of Performing Arts; Tibetan Medical Institute and the Tibetan Nunneries that were destroyed in Tibet continue to flourish in exile.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the 30th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project at Dolmaling Nunnery, 2 October 2017.
“That is spirit of the Tibetan people. We have a will and determination as strong as mountains. No matter how much you destroy us, we will rise up again and again,” he said.
He reiterated the wholehearted support of the Central Tibetan Administration towards the Tibetan Nuns Project and congratulated the nuns for successfully embracing unity, innovation and self-reliance as their guiding principles as it is of the 14th Kashag.
Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project, Rinchen Khando spoke on the history of TNP, its inception in 1987 and remarkable achievements of educating more than 800 Tibetan nuns with the establishment of its non-sectarian nunnery, annual inter-nunnery debate and the historic awarding of the first Geshema degree.
She said, during these 30 years, The Tibetan Nuns Project was faced with extraordinary challenges but succeeded through the remarkable effort of the board, staff and the support of the donors and longtime friends.
“Our 30th anniversary is an opportunity to thank our supporters and to take stock of the many historic milestones that would not have been possible without your compassion for the nuns. You and your support will be remembered in the history of Tibet and for future Tibetan Buddhist nuns,” The director said.
Also gracing the occasion were the Education Kalon, Ngodup Tsering, Members of the standing committee of the Tibetan parliament, Joint Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture, other representatives and also the first ever batch of Tibetan Geshema holders and 15 Tibetan nun lopons.
President Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the 30th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Nuns Project at Dolmaling Nunnery, 2 October 2017.