Kuenga Rabten Nunnery

Kuenga Rabten Nunnery, also known as Karma Drubdey Pelmo Chos Kyi Dingkha, holds a significant place in Bhutanese religious history, founded in 1968 by the esteemed Venerable Khenpo Tshultrim Jamtsho. The nunnery’s origins trace back to Khenpo Tshultrim Jamtsho’s spiritual journey, marked by his meditation within a small cave that eventually became the site of the main temple of the present-day nunnery. Recognizing the spiritual potency of the location, Khenpo declared it his abode and erected a modest temple, laying the foundation for the nunnery’s establishment.

Initially located at Kuenga Rabten Palace, Khenpo Tshultrim Jamtsho and a few nuns relocated to the present site of Kuenga Rabten Nunnery. Positioned 24 kilometers from Trongsa Dzong along the road leading to Zhemgang and Gelephu, the nunnery rests atop a hill just above the palace. This elevated position provides a serene environment conducive to meditation and contemplation.

Kuenga Rabten Nunnery serves multiple purposes within Bhutanese monastic life. It functions as a monastic school, offering education in Buddhist philosophy and practices to nuns. Additionally, it serves as a retreat center where practitioners can engage in intensive spiritual practices and meditation retreats. As a monastic institution, the nunnery plays a crucial role in preserving and perpetuating Bhutanese Buddhist traditions, fostering a community dedicated to spiritual growth and religious scholarship in the serene hills of Trongsa district.