Devouche Nunnery

According to the tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism anyone who applies the teachings can reach true enlightenment, male or female. Therefore many women also apply themselves with great faith and diligence to the study and practice of Buddhism. There have been many truly amazing female practitioners and teachers.

When Tengboche was first established nuns [Anis] studied there too. After a while they requested Lama Gulu for a place of there own and were given land at Devoche. This is about 20 minutes away from Tengboche in a small valley. Devoche is a beautiful sheltered spot surrounded by trees and fields. The nunnery lies a little off the trail but there is a sign pointing the way and you are more than welcome to visit. The shrine room itself is very charming with paintings by the famous Kappa Kalden who also painted the old Tengboche monastery. The nunnery has many old carved stones around it and small houses belonging to the nuns. There are about nine Anis living in Devoche but sadly they are now quite old and poor. Because there are not many facilities at Devoche the younger Anis have gone to Bir in India to study. Recently the American Himalayan Foundation replaced the roof of the main shrine hall and the big prayer wheel room. However, many of the houses are falling down and the nunnery is in urgent need of maintenance.

In addition to the nunnery in Devoche there is a small community of nuns living above Pangboche and a very active nunnery in Thamo, near Namche.

The nuns in Khumbu often have far fewer facilities and support than the monks, and in order to help them an account has been set up for donations specifically for them. The details are at How to Help.