I am Geshema Yangchen Drolma, a fully trained Buddhist scholar and nun of my institute. I was born in Dumra Rondoru village, Ladakh, India, to my parents Phuntsok Chophel and Tsering Pelkyi, who are both farmers.
I attended the local school in my village until completing Class 4.
At the age of 15, I travelled to Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, with my uncle, who brought me to join Jamyang Choling Nunnery so that I could pursue monastic life and study Buddhist philosophy.
On 10 April 2004, I received novice ordination from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, marking the beginning of my formal monastic and scholarly training.
During my first year at Jamyang Choling, I undertook foundational studies, including Tibetan handwriting, memorisation practices, and introductory monastic education. I then proceeded to undertake the full traditional Buddhist philosophical curriculum.
Over the course of 17 years, I completed extensive study of the Five Great Canonical Texts of Buddhist Philosophy, including:
- Collected Topics (Dura)
- Perfection of Wisdom (Prajñāpāramitā)
- Middle Way Philosophy (Madhyamaka)
- Valid Cognition (Pramāṇa)
- Abhidharma (Higher Knowledge)
- Vinaya (Monastic Discipline)
Alongside my philosophical studies, I also received education in Tibetan grammar, English language, and related academic subjects.
From 2022 to 2025, together with nine of my classmates, I undertook the Geshema examinations, the highest level of scholarly qualification available to Buddhist nuns within the Tibetan monastic tradition. These examinations were conducted over several years and involved rigorous study, debate, and written assessments on the Five Great Texts.
On 5 November 2025, at the sacred site of Bodhgaya, India, I participated in the final Geshema debate examination.
On 7 November 2025, I successfully graduated and was formally awarded the prestigious Geshema Degree, recognising my many years of dedicated study, contemplation, and philosophical training.
The Geshema degree represents the highest level of academic achievement for Buddhist nuns within the Tibetan monastic education system and reflects a profound commitment to Buddhist scholarship and practice.
