Phayul, the web portal for the exile Tibetan community, reports that at a recent meeting of the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Religion and Culture, it was unanimously decided that Tibetan Buddhist nuns will finally be able to receive geshema degrees (akin to a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy for monastics). Though nuns have participated in the same curriculum as monks, the decision will now allow them to “appear for the very stringent doctorate examinations” and thus to receive degrees.
Ngawang Choedak, the secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture, is quoted in the piece as saying, “High lamas from different monasteries, including from the Dalai Lama’s main temple, and representatives from nunneries attended the meeting. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has over the years strongly advocated for Geshema degrees and guided the concerned people in arriving at this decision.” You can read the full article here.
See also: Geshe degree goes to first Buddhist nun recipient.
