Summary: Karma Lekshe Tsomo, "Tibetan Nuns and Nunneries"

Thomas Klingensmith

Tibetan Nuns and Nunneries, by Karma Lekshe Tsomo, is about the nature of nunneries in the Himalayan region of Asia. It briefly discusses important historical women in Tibetan Buddhism, but specifically focuses on the nature of Tibetan nuns and nunneries today. Until recently the prevailing theory was that nunneries were relatively limited in Tibet and the surrounding area. But states that recent research shows that they were quite numerous, and many nuns took part in these centers of Buddhist knowledge, though like other aspects of Buddhism, these institutions reflected the gender biases that existed and still exist in Buddhist society.

These biases exist in a number of ways that Tsomo explains in the article. First, there is a great discrepancy in what nuns or monks study when they are in monastic situations. Monks tend to learn everything from scripture to deep philosophical concepts and esoteric ideas about Buddhism. Nuns however are usually relegated to memorizing scripture and learning basic grammar and writing skills. This seems to point to the fact that the spiritual abilities of men and women are sometimes perceived a different in these societies. Also nuns are not allowed to ordain other nuns, but must first have the permission of numerous other monks who may be of a lesser spiritual achievement than the nuns in question, but whose opinion still is considered more important due to their male status. In addition, more women stayed in the household in Tibetan culture in order to maintain traditional domestic roles. This made it much more difficult for women to enter the order, even if they showed interest in doing so.

Tsomo also talks about the basic set up of nunneries, and their prominence before the 1959 invasion by China. Before this event, there were 618 nunneries in Tibet, with many being of considerable size. This number of course had been decimated now, along with Tibetan monasteries, but the nunneries are making a comeback in friendly areas such as Dharamsala in India (the home of his holiness the Dalai Lama).

Tsomo closes by also talking about the various nunneries that exist today. Tsomo talks about the schedules and practices that these centers uphold. The conclusion reached is that for a long time women have been disadvantaged in the Buddhist world, but with changing times, women are realizing they could be more. They are seeing that they have every right to the same things a monk would have, and the institution is beginning to change to allow that, though much more work needs to be done.