Nima Zhuga- Inheritor of Juelu Music of Shuksip Nunnery (Tibetan Buddhist Music) in Quxu County, Lhasa, Tibet

Nima Zhuga (尼玛卓嘎), a nun of the Nyingma sect (宁玛派) of Tibetan Buddhism, is the representative inheritor of the Juelu music (绝鲁) from Shuksip Nunnery (雄色寺), located in Quxu County (曲水县), Lhasa, Tibet. Her expertise in this unique form of Tibetan Buddhist music has been recognized at the national level, and she has been officially designated as a representative inheritor of the Juelu music in 2018.

Early Life and Training

Nima Zhuga’s journey into the world of Juelu music began during her years of spiritual practice at Shuksip Nunnery (雄色寺). She was mentored by A Wang Jian Cai (阿旺坚才), a prominent lama, and Danzeng Jinmei Dorje (丹增晋美多吉仁布且), who taught her the traditional techniques and practices of Juelu music. Over time, Nima became one of the core practitioners and preservers of this religious music, developing a deep understanding of its rhythms, tones, and rituals.

In 2017, she was recommended to be a part of the fifth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage (国家级非物质文化遗产) inheritors. The following year, in 2018, her status as the representative inheritor of Juelu music was formally recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

The Art of Juelu Music

Juelu music is a distinctive form of religious music that is primarily practiced by nuns in Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma sect (藏传佛教宁玛派) and Kagyü sect (噶举派) monasteries. At Shuksip Nunnery (雄色寺), the Juelu music is performed during religious rituals and ceremonies. The music is characterized by its elegant and delicate tones, creating a peaceful and balanced rhythm when performed in a group setting.

This traditional art form is deeply connected with Tibetan Buddhist rituals and meditation practices. The Juelu music at Shuksip Nunnery stands out due to its clear and serene vocal quality, which enhances the spiritual experience of the worshippers. In 2015, Shuksip Nunnery’s Juelu music was officially registered as a national-level intangible cultural heritage project under the name “Shuksip Nunnery Juelu” (雄色寺绝鲁).

The Preservation of Juelu Music

As of June 2018, the Cultural Bureau of Quxu County (曲水县文化局) has begun organizing the collection of Juelu music materials in Tibetan, Chinese, and English. These efforts are aimed at preserving the musical art and making it accessible to a broader audience. A series of books documenting the music and its practices are in the process of publication.

Despite her commitment to preserving this art, Nima Zhuga was unable to participate in the Cultural Heritage Day events in June 2018 due to her dedication to deep spiritual practice and meditation. However, she continues to focus on the transmission and safeguarding of Juelu music at Shuksip Nunnery (雄色寺), where she remains one of the leading figures in this field.