Tibetan Nuns Project Announces New Record of Buddhist Nuns Passing Geshema Exams This Year

- through Henry Oudin

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All images courtesy of TNP

The Tibetan Nuns Project (TNP), a US-registered charity based in Seattle and the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India, announced that this year's cohort geshema Exam candidates set a new record once again, with 147 Tibetan Buddhist nuns undergoing varying levels of their geshema review process.

This year, the exams are being held at Jangchub Choeling Monastery in Mundgod, southern India, from July 21 to August 15. As in previous years, the candidates met in advance for a month-long study period before the start of the two weeks of written exams and oral debates. Last year, 132 nuns participated.

“There are 15 more nuns than last year's record of 132, and 53 more nuns than in 2022,” explained the TNP in a statement shared with the BDG. “No exams were held in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19. If all goes well, there will be 13 more geshemas “I will officially graduate this fall. »

Le geshema The degree is the highest academic degree in the Gelugpa tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism and has only recently been made available to Buddhist nuns.* As the geshe This degree is for male monks and is roughly equivalent to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist studies. The rigorous exams last four years, with one series per year. To date, 54 Buddhist nuns have obtained this diploma. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geshema exams were canceled in 2020 and 2021, and resumed in 2022.**

" The geshema “This degree enables Tibetan Buddhist nuns to become teachers, leaders and role models,” noted the TNP. “It allows these dedicated women to take on various leadership roles in their monastic and lay communities, reserved for degree holders and therefore not previously open to women. »

The nuns participating in the exams come from seven convents in India and Nepal: first year exams: 45 nuns; second year exams: 37 nuns; third year exams: 52 nuns; fourth and final year exams: 13 nuns.

“The fact that increasing numbers of women are achieving equality with men at the highest levels of Buddhist monasticism, earning the equivalent of a doctorate, is a source of joy and of great importance to the world said Steve Wilhelm, board member of the Tibetan Nuns Project. “This means that women monastics will lead more monastic institutions and teach other women and men. Humanity needs this gender equality if we are to get through the perilous times that lie ahead. »

The TNP explained that as of June 2024, 60 nuns held the geshema degree since formal approval in 2012:

2016:20 nuns became geshemas
2017:six nuns graduated geshemas
2018:10 nuns became geshemas
2019:Seven nuns graduated at the end of November
2020:exams canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021:exams canceled for a second year due to the pandemic
2022:10 nuns became geshemas
2023:seven nuns graduated geshemas at the sixth convocation ceremony

“There is a dramatic increase in the number of nuns taking their geshema examinations”, underlined the NPT. " THE geshema “The nuns are paving the way for other nuns to follow in their footsteps and the dynamic is growing. Not long ago, this increased status of nuns was almost unimaginable and we are so grateful for your support in educating and empowering these dedicated women! »

Geshema candidates are examined over their entire 17-year course covering the five main canonical texts covering the Abhidharma (higher knowledge), Prajnaparamita (the perfection of wisdom), madhyamaka (middle lane), Pramana (logical), and the vinaya (moral and ethical conduct). During their studies, candidates must obtain a score of at least 75 percent to be considered eligible to take the geshema exams.

Tenzin Zangmo, Jamyang Choeling Convent (of Kinnaur)

“We are extremely grateful to the 159 donors to the Geshema Endowment, which funds the annual reviews, including the Pema Chodron Foundation, the Pierre and Pamela Omidyar Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, the Frederick Family Foundation and the Donaldson Charitable Trust” , added the TNP. “We are also very grateful to all those who sponsor a nun and help her on her path. »

Click here for information on ways to support the work of the Tibetan Nuns Project

The Tibetan Nuns Project provides education and humanitarian assistance to refugee nuns from Tibet and the Himalayan regions of India. Established under the auspices of the Tibetan Women's Association and the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration, the TNP supports hundreds of nuns from all Tibetan Buddhist lineages and seven nunneries. Many of these nuns are refugees from Tibet, but the organization also extends to India's Himalayan borderlands, where women and girls have little access to education and religious training.

* The Central Tibetan Administration took this unanimous and historic decision on May 19, 2012 after a two-day meeting in Dharamsala attended by senior lamas, representatives of nuns from six nunneries and members of the Tibetan Nuns Project.

**Tibetan Nuns Project announces 10 new Geshema graduates at ceremony in Bodh Gaya (BDG)

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Tibetan Nuns Project

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Article Tibetan Nuns Project Announces New Record of Buddhist Nuns Passing Exams Geshema this year appeared first on Buddhist News Global.

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Henry Oudin

Henry Oudin is a Buddhist scholar, spiritual adventurer and journalist. He is a passionate seeker of the depths of Buddhist wisdom, and travels regularly to learn more about Buddhism and spiritual cultures. By sharing his knowledge and life experiences on Buddhist News, Henry hopes to inspire others to embrace more spiritual and mindful ways of living.

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