Bhikshuni (gelongma) ordination is not officially accepted yet in Tibetan society, particularly by Tibetan lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The lineage that confers this ordination has not yet been accepted.

A nun requested Rinpoche’s permission to take full bhikshuni vows.

A nun wrote to Rinpoche saying she wanted to disrobe.

If, at the time you wrote this letter, you thought you were actually giving back the vows, then, in that case, you are no longer ordained. It would all be finished then. Once you generate the thought that the vows are gone, they’re gone.

I hope you are well. I received your letter. My advice is not to see this woman again. I'm not saying that she is a bad person, but I think her advice to the monks has not been good. It is harmful.

A monk who had been ordained for over ten years and had served as an attendant to Rinpoche for a few years some time earlier, sent a message asking to give back his ordination vows. This was Rinpoche’s reply.

You should rejoice more; you need to meditate on the perfect human rebirth, how precious each one is, and how useful, with great meaning. Think of the benefits that you can achieve with a perfect human rebirth.

Rinpoche heard from a Sangha member who did a lot of Dharma work for him and for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He had been thinking that he might be able to do his work more effectively if he gave back his vows.

You said that you think it is simpler and easier to live a lay life. However, I know you are a very nice person and very dedicated to serving others, and I think it would be a big pity for you to give up.

My most dear, precious, kind, wish-fulfilling one,Thank you for your kind email, I am sorry for the long delay. You becoming a nun is unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable. Thank you a billion, zillion times. Thank you very much.