During his years at the Taktse Ani Gonpa, Khamtrul Rinpoche would point to mountains to the south saying that he had seen Khandros (dakinis) dancing above the mountains and that a nunnery should be built there. Through Rinpoche’s persistence, a nunnery in the southern hills was eventually constructed. Rinpoche named the nunnery – Khachoed Pema Woeling Tsungon – Rainbow Palace of the Lotus Dakini Nunnery.

Many people contributed to the construction of Khachoed Pema Woeling Nunnery including Rinpoche’s principal sponsor Kunzang Chungyalpa and her family, some government officials in their personal capacities as well as Rinpoche’s old sponsors and devotees. On the important occasion of installing ‘Ganjur’ - a sacred spire which was blessed by Rinpoche - on the monastery roof, there appeared a full rainbow over the monastery portending an auspicious beginning.

With Rinpoche’s supreme blessing, Khachoed Pema Woeling Nunnery has flourished over the years. Until his Parinirvana in 2016 Rinpoche provided spiritual guidance to the nuns imparting initiations (Abhisheka), while Khenpo Tenzin Lhundup oversaw their day-to-day education. Although a traditionalist, Rinpoche had deep appreciation of the feminine often saying – ‘educating one nun is worth more than educating twenty monks’.

Khachoed Pema Woeling Nunnery currently has 26 nuns – the majority from North and West Sikkim. Others come from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Nepal. They range in age from 10 year to over 50 year olds with most being around 30 years. Most of the nuns have come voluntarily with younger ones being brought in by parents or relatives. Generally, the senior nuns mentor the younger ones who are very much loved and cared for.

Under Khenpola’s tutelage, the nuns have become well versed in Dudjom Tersar Troema as well as the main ritual practices observed in Nyingma monasteries. In addition to learning scriptures, the nuns are now proficient in making ‘tormas’ and playing different ritual instruments.

In terms of their Buddhist education, the nuns follow a structured programme learning monastic rituals and practices, studying scriptures and basic philosophy. On every 10th day and 25th day of lunar calendar, the Anis perform Guru Rinpoche Tsok and Dakini Tsok respectively. On the 30th of the month, the senior nuns perform ‘Shi-tro’ puja for the deceased.

Through a rotation system aimed at developing the nuns capacities, most have been exposed to and have become proficient in different functions of the monastery including Tsultrim (discipline master), Omje (chant master), Chipa (accountant), Chopen (shrine keeping), Nyepa (storage) etc.

The Anis live a secluded life within the monastery. Upon persistent request of the local communities, Anis now also go to private houses to perform pujas. This has been restricted mostly to the local community to prevent too much distraction from their studies and practices. Other outings include ‘Sang’ – smoke offering – on mountain tops, and pilgrimages to holy sites.

Every Saturday, Anis focus on personal cleaning and washing, and maintenance and cleaning up of the monastery compound. When required they also contribute labor to various construction projects.

The ‘external’ management of the monastery including infrastructure development and related finances, Government relations and interaction with donors and media are mostly carried out through the Khachoed Pema Woeling Trust which also has monastery oversight responsibility. The Trust currently comprises five Sikkimese sponsors. Rinpoche’s son Tulku Pema Garwang and Khenpo Tenzing Lhundup serve as Special Advisors.