Draft:Togdenma

Togdenma Kunsang Chodron (Tibet), Togdenma Thubten Lhamo (Tibet), Togdenma Dechen Paldon (Tibet) and Togdenma Tsewang Chodron (Kinnaur).

In the Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, a Togdenma (Tibetan: རྟོགས་ལྡན་མ, rtogs ldan ma) is a highly accomplished female yogini who has dedicated her life to intensive, long-term meditation retreat. The word literally translates to "one who possesses realisation" or "realised woman", with rtogs meaning "realisation", ldan meaning "to possess", and ma being the feminine suffix.

While the male counterpart (Togden) has a well-known history, the female lineage was nearly lost during the annexation of Tibet by China in the 1950s. Today, the term is most frequently associated with the revival of this tradition at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, led by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.

Core Characteristics of a Togdenma

A Togdenma is distinguished from a typical nun by her specific focus on yogic practice rather than monastic administration or scholastic study.

• Intensive Retreat: Togdenmas typically spend decades, if not often their entire lives, in retreat. This can be group retreat, solitary retreat or a mix of the two. Their training is grueling, involving years of isolation to master complex internal practices.
• Distinctive Appearance: They are often recognised by their white robes (representing the "cotton-clad" yogic tradition of Milarepa), their red-and-white striped shawl similar to that of a Ngakpa, and, in some cases, long, matted dreadlocks wound on top of their heads.
• The "Rechung" Lineage: Their training often focuses on the Rechung Nyen Gyu (The Whispered Lineage of Rechungpa), which includes the Six Yogas of Naropa and other "inner heat" (tummo) practices.
• Realisation: The title is not merely a rank; it is a recognition of spiritual attainment. A Togdenma is considered a living exemplar of the Mahamudra teachings.

History and Near-Extinction

The Togden/Togdenma tradition is specifically rooted in Khampagar Monastery (of the Khamtrul Rinpoche lineage) in Kham, near Chamdo in the eastern part of present-day Tibet Autonomous Region. Destroyed mid-20th century, Khampagar was re-established by the Eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche in Tashi Jong, Himachal Pradesh, India.

• Before its destruction, there were allegedly hundreds of Togdenmas in Tibet, living in nunneries and caves near Khampagar Monastery.
• Following the Cultural Revolution, the lineage of Togdenmas was believed to have been completely wiped out in Tibet, as no realised female masters were known to have escaped into exile to India or Nepal.

The Modern Revival

Togdenma Thubten Lhamo (Tibet) receiving her robes from Togden Trinley Kunchab, officially recognising her as a realised Togdenma after 16 years of retreat. Photo taken on 17th of October 2024 at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery.

The 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche asked his now most famous disciple, the English-born nun Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, to re-establish the Togdenma lineage. She recounts:

"One afternoon Khamtrul Rinpoche took a long white silk scarf (ashi khata) and placed it around my neck with the words, "I will always pray that you can re-establish the lineage of Togdenmas which, as you know, has died out." Therefore I have always felt it a sacred commission to bring back this most precious female tradition before it is too late."

This led to the founding of Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery near Tashi Jong in Himachal Pradesh, India. Since the tradition must be transmitted orally in an unbroken lineage from someone who has the empowerment for the specific practices, and who themself has been recognised as a person who has realised the teachings, there were very few people left in the world who could teach the aspiring Togdenmas.

In 2008, following their basic study and training at DGL Nunnery, a number of nuns entered retreat in the newly-built retreat centre inside the nunnery compound, and started their training to become Togdenmas. They lived there as a group for a series of 3-year-retreats, receiving visits only from their teachers and Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, as well as spending long stretches in strict solitary meditation retreat.

The revival reached a historic milestone in 2024

• The First Modern Togdenmas: In November 2024, four nuns at DGL Nunnery were officially recognised as Togdenmas after completing over 16 years of strict retreat. It was marked by a ceremony during the nunnery's 25th anniversary, where the Togdenmas came out of retreat to receive the traditional white robes and red-and-white striped shawl from Togden Trinley Kunchab of Khampagar Monastery, Tashi Jong.
• Training: They were trained by the senior male Togdens of Tashi Jong, marking the first time in generations that this specific transmission has been successfully passed to a new group of women.