About
Khachoed Pema Woeling Buddhist Tsungon (Nunnery) is in Sikkim - a small Indian State in the eastern Himalayas. Crowned by Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest peak in the world, Sikkim is often referred to as Beyul Demozong – the ‘hidden valley of rice’ prophesized by Guru Padmasambhava - the 8th Century Buddhist tantric master who is said to have traveled to Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet. As such, Sikkim’s modern history is closely associated with Buddhism, with three holy Lamas from Tibet – Lhatsun Chenpo, Nga-Dag Lama and Kathog Lama - consecrating Phuntsok Namgyal as the first Chogyal (Dharma King) of Sikkim in 1642 A.D. Buddhism has since co-existed with Shaman religion practiced by the indigenous people of Sikkim.
Sikkim currently has over 100 large and small monasteries (Gonpas) for formal learning and practice of Buddha dharma by monks. There are, however, only a few nunneries in Sikkim for monastic education of female practitioners. Women mostly gather in Mani Lhakangs – small prayer halls dedicated to the practice of Cherezig – Lord of Compassion, especially the practice of ‘Nyungne’ (fasting retreat). There are over 150 Mani Lhakangs in Sikkim. Mani Lhakangs, however, do not provide structured Buddhist education or practices.
Khachoed Pema Woeling Tsungon (commonly referred to as Ranka Ani Gonpa) was established in September 2006 by the most Ven. Khamtul Jigme Thinley Lhundup Rinpoche (Khamtul Rinpoche) of Dhakyab region, eastern Tibet who traveled to Sikkim with a vision of establishing a nunnery there. After fleeing Tibet in 1959, Rinpoche traveled to remote parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nepal eventually coming to Sikkim in late 1980s at the invitation of Taktse Ani Gonpa - the only nunnery in Sikkim at the time.
Rinpoche’s vision of a nunnery in Sikkim was realized in 2006 with the establishment of Khachoed Pema Woeling Tsungon (Nunnery). In this endeavor, Rinpoche was supported by his Sikkimese sponsors, especially Kunzang Lhamu Chungyalpa and her family who built the monastery. In early 2010, Khenpo Tenzin Lhendup joined the monastery, supporting Rinpoche on spiritual matters and skillfully training and educating the nuns.
With Rinpoche’s blessings and support of the Government of Sikkim, Khachoed Pema Woeling Tsungon has grown into a full monastic complex with a ‘Gonpa’ (Monastery), a ‘Tsamkhang’ (Retreat Center) and a 90 ft tall ‘Chorten’ (Stupa). The Stupa was financed under the Central Government’s Swadesh Darshan Yojana and its construction was executed by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Sikkim. After initiating and blessing of these auspicious activities, Rinpoche entered Parinirvana on 19th January 2016 (12th month and 18th day of the Lunar calendar) at the ripe age of 94 years.
After Rinpoche’s parinirvana, Khenpo Tenzin Lhendup has been the main source of spiritual guidance to the nuns. He oversees their education and trains them in monastic rituals and practices, including the three-year retreat training at the newly constructed retreat center. Under his guidance and training, the nuns of Khachoed Pema Woeling are now able to provide religious services to the local communities.
In keeping with Khamtrul Rinpoche’s wish for his nunnery to maintain the pure Dudjom Tersar lineage and to ensure continued blessings of a realized master, the Khachoed Pema Woeling Trust requested His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, one of the most important holders of Dudjom Tersar lineage, to take the nunnery under his spiritual wing and to grant it his blessings and direction. Despite his innumerable responsibilities and out of pure compassion, Rinpoche agreed to the request.
