Cultural Preservation

A commitment to safeguarding and sharing the rich traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, for the benefit of all present and future generations.

Traditional cultural practices, education and community service are the heart of Karma Chokor Dechen nunnery. This work not only brings wisdom and compassion to our world but keeps Tibetan language and culture alive, even in exile. Nuns fulfil very important roles in Tibetan communities. Their work offers wisdom to support a vibrant and loving life, comfort and compassion for those suffering, and helps to ease the passing of the dying. Nunneries are also an important community hub where Tibetans can connect and celebrate their history and culture. Nunnery education provides essential training to girls and women who choose to dedicate themselves to a career in cultural and spiritual preservation and community support.

Tibetan Language

Tibetan language is taught through immersion in conversation, oral reading practice, and in formal classes. Some nuns come to the nunnery with more Tibetan than others (most speak many Himalayan languages but may not be able to read all of them when they arrive). Nuns must only speak Tibetan in the gompa, and Tibetan script is used for all puja texts - so a high level of reading skill is required. This is not only necessary for the religious practices – it also helps to preserve the Tibetan language.

Dharma Studies

Buddha-Dharma is woven into every aspect of nunnery life. Dharma is not just a ceremonial practice - it informs all every-day activities, even simple tasks like cooking, eating, gardening and cleaning. Buddhist philosophy is central to the guidance senior nuns offer to young novices, helping them with relationships, discipline, and to care for one another and their community.

In addition to every-day immersion, KCD nuns develop a thorough knowledge of Buddha-Dharma through formal classes, individual and guided study of texts, attending teachings from local and visiting high Lamas and Rinpoches, and undertaking formal retreats. KCD nuns are extremely fortunate to be located close to prominent, highly skilled Dharma Masters, including Lama Choying Dundrup Rinpoche, considered one of the most esteemed and skillful Kagyu meditation teachers. The nuns have a strong relationship with Lama Choying Rinpoche, Nedo Kuchung Rinpoche and the monks of the Sharmapa and Karmapa from Nedo Chedu Chokorling Monastery and Zimchung Monastery, who offer extremely valuable regular teaching.

Senior nuns also have opportunities to further their training through visits and retreats in important teaching centres further afield, such as Kathmandu and Delhi.

Torma Sculpture

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Nuns prepare torma (ritual sculptures made from barley flour and oil and painted in coloured wax) as required for daily puja and for special occasions and festivals. Young nuns help and learn as they go, taught by older nuns and experienced senior monks from nearby monasteries. Younger nuns start with making the simpler daily torma and with practice over many years eventually learn to make the more complex torma for special events.

Several different forms of torma are offered to the shrine during puja ceremonies. Some represent specific deities, some represent food offerings made to nourish those who work to bring peace and enlightenment to the world, some represent medicine to provide healing. After each puja ceremony the used torma are broken and cast outside for birds and animals to eat, or eaten by the nuns and any visitors who may be present. The practice of breaking and casting away symbolises letting go, non-attachment. Eating torma and offering it to other beings to eat is an act of sharing the fruits of good dharma work to all beings, so that all may be nourished.

Tibetan Musical Instruments

Music is very important to the Karma Kagyu lineage. Nuns learn to play the Ragdung (long horn), the Gyaling (a reeded clarinet like instrument), the small Kangling trumpet, conch shells, drums, cymbals, and bells. Each has a special significance in Tibetan culture and requires particular skills and physical ability. Usually, younger nuns will start by learning the conch, Ragdung and drums first. Nuns not only learn and perfect the technique for each instrument, but also the unique rhythms, tempo and timings of instruments for each puja practice. Often younger nuns will tap their leg in time to the drums during puja to learn the rhythms.

Ragdung

The Tibetan long horns, also known as Dung-chen, are used to summon the community (sangha and lay people) as well as the deities and guardian spirits to the temple. They are played in puja ceremonies, festival processions and to mark special occasions such as Losar. The deep waves of sound from the Ragdung are thought to enhance clear thinking and concentration.

Gyaling

The Gyaling is made from wood, with a metal mouthpiece and flared end. It is associated with peaceful deities and the idea of devotion, and are also used to drive away evil spirits. This instrument requires the use of circular breathing to produce a continuous sound.

Kangling

The short Kangling horns produce a sound that is pleasing to the wrathful deities, but terrifying to all evil spirits and demons.

Conch

The conch shell is the original trumpet, and symbolises the fame of Buddha’s teaching, which is thought to spread throughout the world like the sound of the conch. The spirals in the conch shell are natural symbols of the curls of Buddha’s hair, and of the spirals of the sun, moon, planets and stars. They are used to summon peaceful deities.

Drums, cymbals and bells

There are a variety of percussion instruments which are used to set the rhythm of the puja chant. The bell and dorje warrant special mention – the bell symbolises the female element of wisdom, the ultimate reality; the dorje symbolises the male element of practice, the method or skill on the path to enlightenment. They are always used together as a reminder that wisdom and skill/method cannot be separated.