A Brief Note On The Tsogyal Shedrub Dargyeling Nunnery In Exile

Dr M N Rajesh (Lecturer in History, University of Hyderabad) & Ms. Tsamchoe (Research Scholar, University of Hyderabad)

Votive Images Used for Ritual Worship (Photo - Ms. Tsamchoe)

Tibetan monasteries and nunneries are always portrayed as exotic with a sense of the other worldly But we see that there are large number of generalizations that generate this picture. Therefore this paper gives a general picture of the nunneries as the focus I always invariably on the monasteries. The conch shells, the bells, the books in the library of the nunneries and the nus are always the general subjects of presentation. However thy must be placed in context so as to have a general understanding of their role. This is therefore a general article accompanied by visuals and must be read as a lengthy caption for the accompanying photographs included in the paper.

The development of many monasteries in Tibet though modeled on the ancient Indian monasteries followed a different path of development. Similarly, the Tsogyal Shedrup Dargyeling Nunnery is modeled on the palyul tradition which is the mother monastery in Tibet. The decline of old Tibet and the conditions of exile have created a different set of socio-economic contexts. The present nunnery is now following the ritual tradition of Palyul tradition faithfully but the structure of the society and the laity has also led to certain influences... 
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