


Training in Monastic Life and Skills for Non-Himalayan Buddhist Nuns:
A Two-Week Residential Course
Friday, March 28 – Monday, April 14, 2025
Overview: Tsechen Kunchab Ling Temple welcomes non-Himalayan Buddhist nuns ordained in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to a two-week monastic training course designed to provide inspiration and instruction in intermediate and advanced ritual and linguistic skills and monastic life. Private lessons, small group instruction, discussions, and group experiences will build on the skills you already have and deepen your experience and abilities in:
● Reading and understanding scriptural Tibetan
● Performing the Four-Mandala Tara puja in Tibetan, including shrine set up, basic torma making, chanting tunes, and how to play ritual instruments.
● Self-reflection projects and discussions of how to implement the Vinaya vows and Bodhisattva precepts in daily life.
● Programs to help the local community.
● Enjoyable excursions to other local temples and beautiful sites.

Key Information
- Khenpo Kalsang Gyaltsen – Senior Abbot and temple founder with over 50 years of experience teaching Western Students.
- Khenpo Khenrab Woser – Instructor in Buddhist Ritual and Philosophy. Khenpo Khenrab was trained in ritual studies at Sakya Monastery in Tibet. He graduated from Sakya College in India and served as a professor there. He has nearly a decade of experience in teaching Western students.
- Dr. Chodrungma Kunga Chodron – Senior nun and temple manager. Chodrungma Kunga has a doctoral degree from Harvard University in Human Development and has taught courses in Buddhism at various U.S. universities. She is a Board Member of the Alliance of Non-Himalayan Nuns (ANHN).
- Ani Jhampa Nyima – Assistant to the Abbot of Tsechen Kunchab Ling. Ani Jhampa has over a decade of experience in monastic life in Sakya monasteries in both India and the US.
The overall schedule listed below lists special events and holy day observances that will be added to the regular hourly schedule (listed under separate tab). In some cases, the regular hourly schedule will be modified to add these events.
Date | Event |
---|---|
Friday, March 28 | Arrival, getting to know each other, and tour of the monastery. |
Saturday, March 29 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Sutra Reading (8:00 am) on Buddha Shakyamuni Day |
Sunday, March 30 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Public Dharma Study and Meditation at 11:00 am |
Monday, March 31 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Tuesday, April 1 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Wednesday, April 2 | Modified Regular Hourly Schedule – A picnic by the lake |
Thursday, April 3 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Friday, April 4 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Saturday, April 5 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Sutra Reading for Medicine Buddha Day (8:00 pm) |
Sunday, April 6 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Public Dharma Study and Meditation at 11:00 am |
Monday, April 7 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Tuesday, April 8 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Wednesday, April 9 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Observance of Jetsun Dragpa Gyaltsen Anniversary Day |
Thursday, April 10 | Modified Hourly Schedule – Pilgrimage to local Buddhist monasteries |
Friday, April 11 | Regular Hourly Schedule |
Saturday, April 12 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate Wetland Wildlife Sanctuary Program for the Public focused on compassion for all creatures. (11:00 am) |
Sunday, April 13 | Modified Hourly Schedule to accommodate 1) Public Dharma Study and Meditation at 11:00 am and 2) Monastic Training Program Conclusion Party |
Monday, April 14 | Participants depart |
The temple’s regular hourly schedule is listed below. Slight modifications will occur to accommodate special temple programs for the public as listed above under “Overall Schedule”.
- 8:00 Study hour
- 9:00 Breakfast
- 10:00 Temple work/service projects
- 11:00 Tara puja
- 12:30 Ritual class in tormas, music, etc.
- 2:00 Lunch
- 2:45 Free time/Private study
- 4:00 Tibetan language class and study session (This will be small group or private depending on your level)
- 6:00 Free time/Optional light supper
- 7:00 Discussion/readings focused on how to practice Vinaya vows and Bodhisattva precepts in daily life.
- 8:00 Private time in your room.
There is no charge for the program or for accommodation at the temple, however, free-will offerings to the temple are gratefully accepted. Participants will need to provide their own transportation to the monastery.
Because most Himalayan nuns have the opportunity to receive training in nunneries in Tibet, India, and Nepal, this program is designed for English-speaking non-Himalayan nuns ordained in the Tibetan tradition holding rabjung, getsulma or gelongma vows.
Tsechen Kunchab Ling is the Seat of His Holiness the Sakya Trichen in the West, however, this training course focuses on skills and rituals common to all denominations. Participants from all Tibetan traditions are welcome.
Twelve spaces are available in this program, based on order of application.
Participants will stay on site at the temple, and each participant will have their own bedroom.
The temple observes a vegetarian diet, including eggs and milk, composed primarily of the offerings received from faithful lay sponsors. Program participants will take turns preparing meals for everyone and cleaning up the kitchen.
The temple is located at 12 Edmunds Lane, Walden New York. It is approximately equidistant from three airports: John F. Kennedy (JFK) in New York City, LaGuardia (LGA) near New York City, and Newark (EWR) in New Jersey. The website https://www.rome2rio.com/ gives various options for public transportation from each of those airports to Walden.
Because Walden is a small town, there is no bus or train to the temple’s door. You will need to get a taxi, Uber or Lyft for the last leg of your journey to the temple. Please plan your journey to arrive on Friday, March 28, and depart on Monday, April 14.
Through the kindness of an anonymous sponsor, two scholarships for airfare to one of the three local airports (EWR, JFK, or LGA) may be awarded based on serious financial need. To apply for a scholarship, in your application to participate (below) state the cost of your air ticket and why you are unable to fund the air ticket yourself. Ground transportation is still the responsibility of the participant.
Two air tickets to the temple have been offered by an anonymous benefactor. Those rich in means and generosity who are able to sponsor additional air tickets will make it possible for more nuns to attend.
1) Complete the application form below
2) Expect an email from the temple (sakya@sakyatemple.org) to set up a date and time for an interview with the temple manager to learn more about your interests and answer any questions you may have about the program. The interview will be done by WhatsApp or Zoom.
3) Based on the fit of your interests to the program, and space availability, your application will be confirmed by email after the interview.
4) We look forward to seeing you!
Application Form


