Grand Opening Celebration and Nine-Day Teachings

Grand Opening Celebration and Nine-Day Teachings

At Tsoknyi Gechak Ling Nunnery, Chobar Nepal
Grand Opening: October 26 – 27, 2026
Teachings: October 29 – November 6th
Format: In person

With sincere gratitude and joy we are delighted to announce the grand opening celebration of Tsoknyi Gechak Ling Nunnery in Chobar, Nepal.  This historic occasion honors the actualization of Tsoknyi Rinpoche two-fold vision:

• Establishing a sacred home for the Tsoknyi Lineage in Nepal
• Sharing the secular Fully Being Teachings, which connect us to our innate quality of essence love in order to heal the wounds of ourselves and the world.

Following the two-day opening celebration there will be a day of rest, after which nine total days of teachings will begin.  The nine days consist of three programs each lasting three days, and as a whole will confer Rinpoche’s complete path.

The guest of honor will be Gwalya Dokhampa Khamtrul Rinpoche, the head of Khampagar monastery in Tashi Jong.

See the Original Announcement Here

Note that other Pundarika organizations are also offering registration. Please register through ONLY ONE Pundarika organization. Some organizations may offer travel and lodging packages; however, Pundarika USA will not be offering these. Our registration is only to gather total numbers.

Schedule:

Please click below to view the full schedule, available in multiple languages.

Click Here for Full Schedule

Traveling to the Nunnery

IMPORTANT: Please enter Chovar Danda Police Check Point as your GPS destination rather than Tsoknyi Gechak Ling. Once you reach Chovar Danda Police Check Point. If approaching from central Kathmandu, take a sharp right immediately after passing the checkpoint to head up Chobhar Hill. If approaching from Pharping, bear left just before the checkpoint. As you go up the hill, follow the green signs toward the nunnery.

We suggest this because Google Maps gives an inaccurate route when the nunnery is given as the destination, which will cause confusion and congestion on the small back roads of Chobar village. We expect traffic around Chobar to be heavy. Please leave early and allow plenty of time, particularly on the first day, so you can become familiar with the traffic conditions and determine how much travel time to allow on subsequent days. We strongly encourage sharing taxis whenever possible. This helps limit congestion on Chobar’s narrow village roads.

Click Here to View the Google Maps Pin — Chovar Danda Police Check Point

Transportation Tip: Taxis and ride services such as Pathao and inDrive are available in Kathmandu. Most hotels and guest houses will also help you arrange a driver.

What to Bring

Some seating areas will be in direct sunlight; please bring sunscreen and a hat. The nunnery sits atop Chobar hill, with slopes and stairs throughout the grounds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, along with a light jacket or layers for changing temperatures throughout the day. All items can be purchased locally.

Event Location and Seating:

All ceremonies, performances, and teachings will take place outdoors in front of the main shrine hall at Tsoknyi Gechak Ling. The entire seating area will be under cover, and chairs will be available for everyone. Please be prepared for both warm and cool weather.

Ways to Give:

1. Participate in the Body, Speech, and Mind offering
If you feel drawn to this traditional offering ritual, you can sign up to participate in-person, on your own or with friends, or join a shared community offering from afar.  To arrange a complete offering, please visit the Appreciation Prayer Hall between October 26–28. All processions must be arranged at the hall by the end of October 28, even if the contribution was made online.

The following is a brief guide to what the ritual means and how to take part.

Click Here to Read the Guide

2. Offer dana directly to Rinpoche
There will be opportunities after the teachings to offer dana directly to Tsoknyi Rinpoche or Khamtrul Rinpoche. Many people appreciate the elegant simplicity of offering a traditional khata (silk scarf), with or without an envelope containing a financial gift. This will be arranged in a manner similar to our retreats at Garrison Institute and Yeshe Rangsal Retreat Land. If you prefer, you can also offer dana online.

Offer Dana to Tsoknyi Rinpoche

3. General support of the Grand Opening and the Tsoknyi Nuns
Online donations can be made on the Tsoknyi Nuns website. You may also visit the Tsoknyi Gechak Ling donation office during the events.

Donate to Support the Tsoknyi Nuns

Flights:

The only international airport in Nepal is Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM).

Arriving in Nepal:

Obtaining a visa

Most international travelers may obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Before traveling, please confirm that your nationality is eligible for a visa on arrival and review the current requirements on the Nepal Department of Immigration website.

Upon arriving:

1. Complete the tourist visa application at one of the automated kiosks in the terminal. Airport staff will be available to assist.
2. Take your application receipt to the payment counter and pay the required visa fee.
3. Bring your application receipt, payment receipt, and passport to the immigration desk, where your visa will be issued.

You may also complete the official online application before traveling, though many have reported it is unreliable and often doesn’t function properly. Nepal Visa Portal

Accommodations:

There are no available accommodations at the Nunnery.  We recommend staying in these neighborhoods listed below (and the surrounding areas):

• Sanepa: Map Link
• Patan: Map Link
• You can search via AirBnB or local hotels, many options are out there but you may want to book early as we expect a large turnout.

Coordinating with Friends:

Some members of the community would like to coordinate things like hotels, rides, and other things while in Nepal. We’ve established a Community Bulletin Board to help: Community Bulletin Board.

Getting around:

Taxis are plentiful in the suggested neighborhoods. You may consider downloading the taxi service applications on your device:

• • Pathao
  • InDrive
  • Taximandu

A reasonable fare from the airport to Patan or Sanepa is approximately NPR 2,000-3,000 or about $13-20 USD. Fares may vary depending on traffic, time of day, and your exact destination, so confirm the price with the driver before beginning your trip.

Signs will be posted on the route up Chobar hill, and a designated taxi drop-off area will be clearly marked.

Communicating:

We recommend arranging mobile data access before or shortly after arriving in Nepal, as it will be useful for maps, transportation apps, and staying in touch during your visit. Check with your mobile carrier about international data or roaming options before traveling. Alternatively, you may purchase a local SIM or eSIM at the KTM airport for use during your stay. Visit the NCell booth located inside the airport, just after clearing Customs and Immigration.

Food and Water:

Food and waterborne illnesses are a common risk for travelers in Nepal. A few basic precautions can significantly reduce your risk:

• Drink only filtered, boiled, or factory-sealed bottled water. Use treated water when brushing your teeth, and avoid ice unless you know it was made with safe water.
• Choose food that is thoroughly cooked and served hot. Be cautious with raw vegetables, salads, unpeeled fruit, and food that has been sitting at room temperature.

Clean, filtered water will be available throughout the events at Tsoknyi Gechak Ling. Food will be prepared with great care and close attention to cleanliness and food safety. The nuns and kitchen team are taking the health and well-being of everyone attending very seriously.

Thank You:

The opening of Tsoknyi Gechak Ling is the fulfillment of a vision sustained by many years of generosity, dedication, and collective effort. We are deeply grateful that you will be joining us for this important occasion.

We look forward to welcoming you to Nepal.

With gratitude,

The Pundarika Team