Biography Of Ani Choying Drolma

 

Ani Choying was born in 1970, a daughter of Tibetan refuges in Nepal. At the age of 13 she decided to break free from the traditional patterns  of family life. She joined Nagi Gompa, a Tibetan nunnery, and studied Buddhist teachings with the great Tibetan meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche recognized the beauty and clarity of Ani Choying’s voice, and her ability to touch people’s soul deeply by singing. He and his wife gave private singing lessons to the young nun, and he made her chant master of the nunnery.

 Another student of Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche was a famous American musician, Steve Tibbets. He listened to Ani Choying’s sung prayers and was deeply  touched. He recorded the CD “Chö” with Ani Choying in 1997. It was an export hit and she was invited to tour across America. Ani Choying had become a star –  and she remains modest. For her, her voice is just a tool:

 “It helps me to fulfil my dream, a school for girls. Therefore I’m thankful…”

Ani Choying

 Ani Choying’s dream is called “Arya Tara School.” It is located in Pharping, a tiny village on the outskirts of Kathmandu. All the income from the concerts and CD’s goes to her foundation. The four-storied school building has sleeping rooms, meditation rooms, a kitchen, an organic garden and a thangka-painting school. Girls from the most humble homes get free access to food and education. The students are taught reading and writing, mathematics and English. And of course they have classes in Buddhist philosophy. The Nun’s Welfare Foundation, established in 1998 by Ani Choying, is revolutionary, because in Asia education for girls is anything but guaranteed.

 The story of Ani Choying inspires people from all over the world. In July 2009 her autobiography Ich singe für die Freiheit  (“I sing for freedom”) was published by Blanvalet. It is available in Germany and is being translated into eleven European languages.