BACKGROUND

The establishment and development of FPMT Mongolia’s Dolma Ling Nunnery is a heart project of Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the Spiritual Director of FPMT, and is one of his most valuable contributions to the revival of Buddhism in Mongolia.

In April 2002, FPMT Mongolia bought the beautiful historic grounds of the former “Dara Ehk” Monastery. Historically, the original temple buildings were a gift to the Mongolian people from the Manchu Emperor and for many years, were used for Dharma activities. Sadly, in the 1930’s, during the time of the Communist occupation, the buildings were desecrated.

Within the property, stand two unique and protected cultural monuments in the form of granite stone pillars, 11 meters in height and are some 230 years old. The pillars are said to have been blessed by White and Green Tara and are adorned with beautifully carved forms of humans, animals, and Buddhist scripts. On the pillar to the right, the script reads “I will liberate all sentient beings of many worlds from temporary pain and suffering” and on the left, “I will save the ten thousands of sentient beings by the great compassion.”

A small group of dedicated Mongolian women were ordained in October 2001 and in May 2003, after considerable renovation to the remaining buildings in the complex, these nuns moved into the first residential nunnery in Mongolia with the name ‘Dolma Ling.’ Currently, there are 5 nuns

belonging to Dolma Ling and they follow a daily schedule of prayers, practices, and study as drawn up by Lama Zopa, perform 5 regular pujas each month and offer extra pujas and prayers upon request.

These pioneering nuns are the first generation of ordained practitioners in a newly liberated country and are at the very heart of Mongolia’s restoration of Buddhism. They have an important responsibility to pass on what they translate and learn, to a growing community of Mongolian Dharma practitioners.

In the harsh climate of Mongolia, the nuns endure less than basic living conditions and one of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s priorities is to construct a new nunnery where they can continue to receive an appropriate Dharma education and be supported in their quest for spiritual advancement.

PRESENT SITUATION

Now there are 4 nuns, 1 living and studying at Dolma Ling Nunnery in Dharamsala and 3 in Ulaanbaatar with the 2 youngest living at Ganden Do Ngag Shedrup Ling, FPMT Mongolia’s Centre. 

Currently, the Dolma Ling Nunnery is temporarily closed pending more favourable conditions.

In December 2022- Lama Zopa Rinpoche advised that it is important for the remaining nuns to live in the Centre, study with Geshe Thubten Soepa and attend teachings at the Centre. They are a valuable support to the Centre serving to conduct our 4 monthly pujas, Protector Prayers, supporting extra prayer requests and asssisting woith the spiritual program.

In the meantime, all donations to further develop and support the revival of  the Dolma Ling Nunnery will be deeply appreciated. Please click here to make a contribution