Anim Yeshey Lhamo lives in Shechen Orgyen Chozong Nunnery and is one of my students. She proved to be a dedicated, sincere and delightful addition to the class. She learned that Prevention of Damage is in the hands of the nuns handling thangkas every day in their home nunneries. She excelled at the basic stabilization/restoration skills and remained humble and in good cheer through the intensive schedule.

Anim Yeshey and her Lopen in my Art Conservation Laboratory, Thimphu, Bhutan March 2006

One day, The Lopen of Shechen Orgyen Chozong Nunnery (a graduate from Shechen College in Nepal) showed up in our classroom. He sat quietly and observed me teach the class. Anim Yeshe asked me to take pictures of him sitting in our classroom!

Anim Yeshey and Lopen in the one of the Nunnery’s Shrine Halls

Soon after his visit, I was invited to visit the nunnery. I examined the thangkas in several of the shrine halls there, and was offered tea in The Lopen’s turquoise room. Then we all enjoyed a delicious vegetarian lunch in the bright, clean dining room, with a view of the large, tidy and spotless kitchen! Quite inspiring.

After lunch, we visited the rooms of several nuns. Some lived in the new building and again, their rooms were sunny, tidy and cheerful! I visited the room of my favourite nun, Anim Yeshey. As a new nun, her room is located in the older building. The contents of the rooms vary according to the wealth of the nun’s families, or if they are fortunate enough to have a supporting patron.

Anim Yeshey and her best friend in front of her room at the nunnery

She introduced me to her best friends and again, asked me to take a picture! We also visited classrooms.
We walked by the building with rooms reserved for older nuns.

Rooms for Older Nuns

I was greatly impressed with my visit to Shechen Orgyen Chozong Nunnery. Everything was cheerful and clean, and it was obvious that great care was taken to provide Dharma classes and practice time in the best way for the nuns. The nuns I met seemed truly happy!

Nunnery in March 2006

After that visit, I agreed to help with two of the thangkas that showed deterioration. For no charge, I supervised Department of Culture employees and Anim Yeshey in their efforts to stabilize the tears in the silk brocades of the thangka mountings. The results were excellent, and now the thangkas are back hanging in the shrine hall at Shechen Orgyen Chozong.

Anim Yeshey and Department of Culture Conservator working on thangka in Conservation Laboratory, Thimphu

If you have any questions about the nunnery, please feel free to contact shechen@sprynet.com. I was delighted with my time there, and look forward to visiting again this winter when I return to Bhutan to continue teaching Thangka Conservation to nuns, including Anim Yeshey from Shechen Orgyen Chozong Nunnery.

View from Nunnery, March 2006

updated 7/31/06