There are places that touch you deeply. Not because they’re spectacular, but because they strike a chord within you.
For me, that was Dongyu Gatsal Ling Monastery in the Indian Himalayas was exactly that kind of place.
As soon as I stepped through the monastery gate, everything fell silent. Not just around me—but also within me. Amid prayer flags, the scent of incense, and the view of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, I felt something that is often lost in everyday life: true peace.
A Very Special Convent
The Dongyu Gatsal Ling Monastery is located near Bir, about a two-hour drive from Dharamshala, nestled among small villages, green fields, and the majestic mountains of the Himalayas.
About 120 Buddhist nuns, ranging in age from six to about fifty, live here. The monastery was founded to provide women from the Himalayan regions with a thorough Buddhist education—something that had been denied to them for centuries.
Despite their discipline and dedication, the nuns greet visitors with incredible openness, warmth, and curiosity. People laugh, drink tea together, paint, practice yoga, and talk about life.
It was precisely these encounters that made my stay so special.
The Inspiring Story of Tenzin Palmo
The monastery was founded by the British nun Tenzin Palmo, one of the most inspiring Buddhist teachers of our time.
As a young woman, she left England to study Tibetan Buddhism in India. Later, she retreated to a small cave in the Himalayas at an altitude of over 4,000 meters for twelve years—three of which she spent in complete seclusion.
Her story became known worldwide through the book “Cave in the Snow” by Vicki Mackenzie. In it, she writes about courage, perseverance, and a deep longing for spiritual enlightenment.
With Dongyu Gatsal Ling, Tenzin Palmo finally fulfilled a long-held dream: to create a place where women have the same opportunities as men to follow the Buddhist path.
Today, Dongyu Gatsal Ling is Tenzin Palmo’s home, and her presence gives the monastery a very special atmosphere. She often takes part in the morning meditations and special pujas (prayer ceremonies), and with a little luck, you might even get to talk to her—an experience that leaves a lasting impression.
What life is like there
The days follow a peaceful rhythm.
Even before sunrise, the nuns gather in the temple for meditation and puja. The deep chants, drums, and horns fill the room, creating an atmosphere that is almost impossible to put into words. A sense of inner peace spreads.
The yoga session that follows creates a great atmosphere. The nuns of all ages clearly enjoy the exercise, which is a welcome change of pace.
Breakfast, like the other meals, is served to the nuns in their dining hall and to me and the other guests in our small guesthouse, which has its own kitchen. The food is simple, vegetarian, and delicious.
While the younger nuns attend classes—where they study Buddhist teachings as well as mathematics, English, and Hindi—the older nuns go about their duties in the convent. Yet the atmosphere in the monastery is always casual, relaxed, and above all, one thing: peaceful.
Philosophical debate is an integral part of Buddhist training in the monastery. The nuns discuss Buddhist teachings with great passion, asking each other questions and scrutinizing arguments. The lively movements and the characteristic clapping of hands symbolize clarity and help keep the mind alert and focused. The goal of debating is not to defeat the other person, but to deepen one’s own understanding and to come closer to the truth together. Being able to watch this is truly a special experience.
With the evening puja, the day draws to a close, and everyone goes to bed early.
Guests are welcome to participate in the nuns’ monastic life as much as they like. The nuns are open-minded and enjoy interacting with others. They love to share their stories and are also interested in ours. This interaction with the nuns makes a stay at Dongyu Gatsal Ling Monastery something truly special.
Besides that, there’s still a surprising amount of time left.
Time to read.
Time to reflect.
Time for walks through the surrounding fields and villages.
Time to just be.
There’s no rush. No constant “I still have to…”.
In-person only.
And that is exactly what makes this place so magical.
What I took with me
I didn’t go to the monastery to find answers.
And yet I went home with a clearer understanding.
Not because my life had changed.
But because my perspective on it had changed.
The monastery showed me how little it takes to feel fulfilled.
How soothing silence can be.
And just think how much strength we gain when we allow ourselves, for once, not to have to prove ourselves.
I’d like to share this experience with others.
Come with me to the monastery retreat
If you’ve always wanted to experience life in a Buddhist monastery, then join me on a very special journey.
Together, we will spend seven days at the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery. We stay in the guesthouse on the monastery grounds, take part in the daily meditations and pujas, and gain authentic insights into the nuns’ lives.
In addition to the monastery activities, you can look forward to a thoughtfully designed daily mindfulness program featuring yoga, meditation, breathwork/pranayama, and time for rest, integration, and personal reflection.
There will be plenty of free time to stroll through the surrounding villages, read in the library, have tea at the small monastery café, or simply take in the beauty of the Himalayas.
This retreat is designed for women and men who long to slow down, want to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism, and are looking for a peaceful place to reconnect with themselves.
The Inn
Retreat Facts
📍 Location: Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery near Bir (near Dharamshala), India
📅 Dates: October 25–November 1, 2026, and March 28–April 4, 2027
🛏️ Accommodations in the monastery’s guesthouse (single or double room)
👥 Maximum of 10 participants (6 single rooms available)
🥗 Three simple vegetarian meals a day
✈️ Assistance with arrival and onward travel. Can be supplemented with other travel components.
💰 Price: starting at 700 € (plus travel expenses)
🌐 Click here for the trip
Namaste and with love,
Meike
