On our Phase VII Exchange (cf. Bulletin #54) Br. Aaron Raverty, Fr. James Wiseman, Sr. Pascaline Coff and myself stayed at Dolma Ling Nunnery. Their story is extraordinary. Dr. Elizabeth Napper provided many of the details so that we could get a full picture of what we experienced at Dolma Ling. Many of these nuns not only negotiated the mountains of Tibet, but out of devotion they prostrated for over two years to get to Lhasa, only to be refused entry by the Chinese. From there, they went to Mt. Kailesh and were smuggled out at extreme risk. Many did not survive the hardships. Many were caught, imprisoned, tortured. Each one has a story to tell.

Most of them are from nomad families. One night they came with their picture albums and shared their stories. Their yak was as important as any member of the family!

Through funds raised by the Tibetan Nuns’ Project they are building a fine nunnery right next to the Norbulinka, a Cultural Center for Exiled Tibetans. They are going to school learning to read, write, as well as religious studies in chant and Buddhist Scriptures. What is most innovative is their education is balanced with music, gardening, arts and crafts. The zeal for learning and sharing is contagious.

One evening they had a special puja ceremony. The chant was fervent and the prayers were devout. The musical instruments enhanced the ritual, second only to the sacrificial offerings of food.

When we parted, one said: “Thanks for coming! I have never met a Christian before!”