Gaden Choeling Nunnery, Tibetan Buddhist nunnery in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, India.
Gaden Choeling Nunnery is a Tibetan Buddhist female monastery set on a steep hillside near the Main Temple in McLeod Ganj. It houses around 160 nuns who devote themselves to spiritual practices, systematic study of texts, and intellectual debate.
The monastery was founded by nuns who fled the destruction of Nechung Ri Nunnery in Tibet during the Cultural Revolution in the 1970s. These women settled in McLeod Ganj and established a new home for their religious community.
The nuns here maintain a daily routine of prayers and study, gathering together to recite texts and engage in philosophical discussions. Visitors can observe this form of communal practice and sense the trust built through their shared life.
The site is easily reachable on foot from McLeod Ganj's main square, about 10 minutes away following signs along the mountain path. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and wear appropriate clothing to explore the steep location comfortably.
The monastery is supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project, an organization that offers sponsorships for the nuns and promotes the community's welfare. This program has also introduced modern skills such as English language and computer training into the nuns' daily life.
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