Nuns Break Barriers, Earn Tibetan Buddhism “Doctorates” For First Time

The Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism is a very ancient and sacred place where monks and nuns help its corrridors stay peaceful. But this is for the first time that the nuns are getting the same recognition as the monks.

The Drepung Monastery's historic ceremony of choosing doctors of philosophy for the school witnessed a huge number of nuns receiving the geshema degree, Lion's Roar reported. Equivalent to PhD in Buddhist philosophy, the geshema degrees were given to both nuns and monks this time, unlike earlier when it was offered to men only.

https://twitter.com/MaitreyaWest/status/814171212163055616

Among the gathering were 20 nuns who came from five different nunneries in India and Nepal to receive their 'Doctorates' from the hands of the Dalai Lama himself on December 22 in Mundgod, India.

A nun holding her geshema certificate (Pic Credit: Lion's Roar)

Also Read: All for a cause: 500 nuns bicycle trek from Kathmandu to Leh

Monks and (now) nuns can get the prestigious degree only after confirming 17 years of arduous studies and four years of examinations.

Twenty Tibetan Buddhist nuns received their Geshema degrees yesterday, a degree previously only awarded to men. https://t.co/BfhitXuY7Q pic.twitter.com/UKMdkGm6um

— Lion's Roar (@LionsRoar) December 23, 2016

Until this year's ceremony, only monks were allowed to receive geshema degrees. Being able to be recieved doctorates this time, the nuns' joy knew no bounds.

As doctors of philosophy, the nuns will now teach at the school.

To recieve the degrees, all the nuns wearing yellow geshema hats appeared on the stage and were cheered for their feat.

After bestowing the geshemas to the achivers, His Holiness The Dalai Lama said, “With access to education, women can now become leaders. Today’s world needs love and compassion. That is why I call women who are naturally connected to the power of maternal love to play a more active role in the world. And if they are educated, they will be even more able to do so.”

First #women ever be awarded Geshema-by @DalaiLama-the highest level of training in #TibetanBuddhism via @LionsRoar https://t.co/jjoXtehhFR pic.twitter.com/HUHErcFkyL

— KatieBE Massage and Yoga Tomball, Texas (@KatieBEworks) January 16, 2017

Congratulations to the 20 nuns who conferred with Geshema Degrees by His Holiness the Dalai Lama! https://t.co/qX0VWq4sKO

— Sakyadhita (@Sakyadhita_Int) December 28, 2016

The Geshema degree in Buddhism has opened up a new chapter of empowerment and education of nuns in Nepal and the world over.

Feature Image Credit: Lion's Roar

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