My name is Kalzang Yudon (Tenzin Zompa), and I hail from the village of Hull in the beautiful Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh. I am the daughter of Mr. Tashi Tobge, a farmer and former trader, and Mrs. Chhering Dolma.
Growing up as the seventh of eight siblings, my path toward the monastic life was shaped by my family’s aspirations and my own search for spiritual and physical well-being.
My early education began in the Hindi-medium secular school system, where I completed my 8th-grade studies at the Government High School in Hull and later matriculated from the Government Senior Secondary School in Rangrik. During my childhood, I struggled frequently with illness; however, I found that after entering the monastic life, both my health and my spirit began to flourish.
My primary inspiration to join the Jamyang Choling Institute came from my relative, Ani Lobzang Dolma, who is also a nun at the Institute and a native of our village. With the heartfelt support of my parents, I joined the Institute in 2003 to begin my formal religious training.
For over two decades, I have dedicated myself to the rigorous study of the Great Canonical Texts and the major Buddhist philosophical treatises. This long journey of academic and spiritual discipline culminated in my enrollment in the Geshema degree examinations—the highest academic qualification for women in our tradition.
In 2025, I was honored to graduate as a Geshema . My journey from the high-altitude schools of Spiti to the scholarly halls of Jamyang Choling has been one of perseverance and deep faith. Moving forward, I hope to dedicate my life to the service of the Dharma and the community. My goal is to use the knowledge I have gained to support the education of younger nuns and to contribute to the preservation of our precious lineage, ensuring that the light of wisdom continues to benefit all sentient beings.
I am profoundly grateful to my teachers, the Institute, and my family for their unwavering support, which allowed me to reach this milestone.
