My name is Choeying Lhamo, and I was born on December 22, 2009, in a village in Santari, Nepal. I went to school in my village up to Grade 7, but we didn’t have many of the resources that schools in the city have. Growing up, I was curious about the life of a nun after seeing a neighbor’s daughter who had become one. My phupa (uncle) encouraged me, and I felt this was the path I wanted to follow. With my family’s support, I was able to pursue this dream. On July 16, 2024, I joined Tek Chok Ling Nunnery. Life here is very different from my village. At the nunnery, I can study freely in a peaceful and friendly place, with many other young nuns as friends. I have been learning the Tibetan alphabet, which is new and interesting to me. When I was younger, I wanted to become a nurse to help save lives. Now, as a nun, I still feel that I can help people and make a difference. I am grateful for the journey that brought me here, and I look forward to continuing my studies and serving others with kindness.

My name is Sangay Wangmo and I am 14 years old. I was born in Dolpa, Saldang in 2009. Dolpa is the biggest district of Nepal. I am a member of a family of 6. I have siblings. In 2018, I made the decision to become a nun, and in 2019, I enrolled in Shree Mangal Dvip School where I have been studying since grade 5. My favorite subjects include Tibetan, Math, English, and Science. Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading story books and learning different languages. During my free time, I find pleasure in painting, listening to music, and occasionally cooking. I have a great passion for traveling as well. I am grateful for the fulfilling experiences I have in both my nunnery and school. My ultimate goal is to become an exceptional teacher.

Ani Ngawang Palzom completed class nine in Dechen Choling Higher Secondary School in Thimphu. She has four siblings. She wants to join the shedra and hopes to do the 3-year retreat.

Ani Karma Tenzin Drolma is from Laya Gasa, Bhutan. She is the youngest among six siblings. She studied up to class four in the government school. She says that she would like to do retreat in the future and eventually be head nun.

Ani Dechen Drolma joined the nunnery in April 2014. She has studied two years in the Bhutanese school. She has three siblings. She likes washing clothes and watering the flowers. She says that she sometimes misses her mother and sister. It seems to make her happy to work with the elder nuns in the nunnery because they are so good to her. She gets up at 5am with the other nuns and goes to bed at 7pm. She would like to be a teacher when she grows up and to teach her friends.

I came to the nunnery in 2008 after completing the 6th grade in one of the government schools. I speak Dzongkha, Tibetan and English. I love visiting holy places and meeting teachers. After completing my one year preliminary retreat, I joined the shedra in 2013 and I hope to complete my studies and serve my nunnery and help others.

Ani Yeshe Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1996. She has one sister at the nunnery, Ani Jangchuk Zangmo. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She is particularly fond of shamatha meditation. She enjoys making tormas and playing the musical instruments.

Ani Tenzin Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1996. She has two sisters there, Ani Thapkey Drolma and Ani Dechen Palmo. She received a 2nd grade education in the Bhutanese public school before coming to the nunnery. She speaks Dzongkha, Tibetan and a little English. She is funny, frank, open minded and interested in helping others.

My name is Rinchen Choden. I was born on 2nd November 2008. I joined the nunnery on 23rd August 2023. I studied through grade 4 in the government school. I am the only one daughter in my family. I am happy in the nunnery. I would like to study and do retreat in the future. Now I am trying to study well. After completing my studies I would like to be a teacher and serve the nunnery.

My name is Karma Drolma. I was born on 1st January 1986 in the village of Borangmang Sakteng, Trashigang. It’s my own interest and wish to become a nun. I have 8 members in my family. My mother and younger father are yak herders. I joined the nunnery on 23rd August 2023. After completing my studies I would like to be in charge of the store.

Ani Pema Jangchuk came to the nunnery in 2001. She has a first grade education from Bhutan’s public school. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She likes to help others.

Ani Gaylek Palmo came to the nunnery in 1993. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She wants to meditate and help others. She hopes to be able to study more some day.

Ani Zhenphen Zangmo came to the nunnery in 1996. She speaks Dzongkha and Tibetan. She is thought of as a very kind hearted person, always thinking of others first and is loved by all. She likes to meditate and has completed a 3-year retreat.

I became a nun in the year 2006. I speak Dzongkha and Tibetan. After my formal monastic training, in 2014 I went to Dolma Ling Institute, in India, to study further. However, due to health reasons, I could not continue my studies there. Nevertheless, I am continuing my studies here in Bhutan and hope to graduate from here.

My name is Karma Palden Yuden. I came to the nunnery in 2007 after completing the 7th grade in one of the government schools. I speak Dzongkha, Tibetan and English. I have 4 siblings including a twin sister who passed away few years ago. After completing one year preliminary retreat, I joined the shedra (monastic college) in 2014. I love studying, reading books and mediating. I also love to help others. Currently I am studying and serving as an assistant teacher. I hope to complete my studies and serve my nunnery and Guru at the best of my ability.

My name is Karma Thinley Wangmo and I joined the nunnery in 2008. I went into one retreat in the year 2013. In 2014, I went to Dolma Ling monastic college in Dharamsala, India. After studying for 3 years in India, I came back to my nunnery in Bhutan in 2018 and I am continuing my studies here. I hope to graduate from here.

Ani Choeyang Randrol is from southern Bhutan, she joined the nunnery in 2013. She studied up through the sixth grade at the public school before joining the nunnery. Her parents divorced when she was very young. She says that when she was home she was sick most of the time and that since she has moved to the nunnery she is feeling much better. She has three siblings. Her two sisters stay with her mother and stepfather back home. Her stepfather is good to her. She doesn’t have any contact with her father now. She decided herself to become a nun. She says that she has seen her mother facing many problems and she hopes that when she grows up she will be able to help her mother. In the future she would like to do a retreat and then serve the nunnery in whatever way she can.

Ani Rangjung Drolma studied up to Class 9 in Autsho Central school in her home town. She has 5 siblings. It was her decision to join the nunnery. She wishes to study in the shedra, to do retreat and eventually to serve the nunnery.

Yudruk Dolma is from Bumthang, Bhutan. She joined the nunnery in March 2020. She is the youngest among eight siblings. She studied up to grade ten. It is her own wish to become nun. She would like to study in Shedra and would like to serve the nunnery.

Ani Dechen Lhamo joined the nunnery in March 2020. She is studying in grade two. She was brought to the nunnery by her grandfather. She is happy in the nunnery with her new friends. In the future she would like to be a teacher.

My name is Pema Dema, born on 12th June 2008. I joined the nunnery on 2nd February 2023. Right now I am studying in 6th grade in the government school and I wish to study through 10th grade. I have one sister and a brother and I am happy to be in the nunnery.

My name is Karma Sangay Palmo. I was born on 2nd February 2005 in the village of Borangmang Sakteng, Trashigang. I studied through grade 9 in government school. It’s my own interest and wish to become a nun. I have 9 members in my family. My mother and younger brother are cow herders. I joined the nunnery on 10th February 2023. I would like to study in the shedra and do retreat in the future. Now I am trying to study well. I hope to serve the nunnery and preserve the teachings of the Buddha.

Lhundrub Drolma wants to study Buddhism. She wants to study in the shedra and would like to do a retreat. She wants to be a nyerpa in the future.

My name is Urgyen Dolma. I was born on 11th October 2017 in the village of YolmoNepal. Including myself there are 5 members in my family. They are my grandparent, mother and my big brother. My mother’s name is Maya Sherpa. She works in the fields and looks after my grandparents. My elder brother is in grade five. My father died when I was so little. Maybe I was 13 months that time. We have one dog, Tommy, and three kittens in my home. I love to play with the kittens and sometime my kittens sleep with me. But I am afraid of my Tommy because he is very big. I had many friends in my village school, among them my close friends are Mingler and Lhakpa. I joined the nunnery on 4th December this year (2022) and I am the newest nun in my nunnery right now. I found many friends here and everyone loves me. Tsundue is the same age as me and she is from Dolpa. I love to draw with my friends and I like to draw the pictures of persons and color them. I love all subjects, but I love mathematics period. I am also learning to read Tibetan and I hope I could read well very soon. I have my cousin sister (Ani Karma Yangzom) and aunt (Ani Tsultrim Dolma) with me at the nunnery and they take care of me very well. In future, I want to become a good person and help others.

She is studying in class three. She is the eldest among three siblings. In future she would like to be Nyerpa.

Ani Rangjung Chodron joined the nunnery in January 2021. She is going to school in Kuengarabten primary school and in grade five. She has 6 siblings. In future, she would like to study in the shedra and become a teacher.

Kelzang Chodron studied up to ten standard in Galposhing higher secondary school in Mongar. She was sick for so long, and went to see one Rinpoche who lives in Thimphu, and who does cleansing rituals to remove obstacles. She stay with Rinpoche for 7 years and did Ngondro there. This year (2020) she decided to join our nunnery to do some more studies in Buddhism. She is the youngest among 3 siblings. She would like to complete her studies in Buddhist texts, rituals and would like to do retreat and serve the nunnery.