Destruction of a Peaceful Way of Life

By Tenzin Samten / November 5, 2015;

Jhada Khachoeling nunnery in an undated photo
Photo:Radio Free Asia

Local authorities have expelled 106 Tibetan nuns from Jhada Geden Khachoeling nunnery in Driru county in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and over the past few weeks have destroyed what has been left of their homes in the nunnery.

The nuns were expelled from their nunnery under the order of Sangay Tashi, a Tibetan officer. He then sent them off to their respective homes in Penpa, Sog and Driru counties. The nun’s cells in and around the nunnery were destroyed completely; the reason they were given for this was that new cells for nuns would be built.

Thupten Palmo, a nun from Geden Khachoeling nunnery who is currently studying in Jangchup Choeling in South India told the Tibet Times, “Our monastery was a pure monastery which is the reason Chinese authorities didn’t like it and sent 106 people back to their families. They were not even allowed to recite prayers and wear nun’s robes.”

The nuns are living under strict vigilance; they need to get permission from the authorities to visit neighouring homes and they are not allowed to talk in groups of two or more.

Site of Jhada nunnery after the destruction
Photo:Tibet Times

Sharing her experience, Palmo said “when I was back in Khachoeling nunnery, they would call us for numerous meetings where we were asked to criticise or make derogatory comments about His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We used to cry and sit there without eating for days. But we never used to accept their orders.”

Palmo also said that there used to be around 200 nuns at the nunnery. The Chinese authorities forcibly sent 40 nuns who are above 40 years old to a home for the elderly. Some nuns disrobed due to the stress and unbearable situation in the nunnery.

Another source said, “Local authorities came to Jhada Geden Khachoeling nunnery to collect the precious ornaments and idols. Destruction of their nunnery is almost complete and homes of neighbouring villages are also demolished. The extremity of their situation reminded us of what happened in 1959.”