The Kung Fu Nuns practice Kung Fu at the Druk Amitabha nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 23, 2023.
Jigme Rupa Lhamo, 26, pictured during Kung Fu training at the Druk Amitabha monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 27, 2019. Jigme Rupa has been training Kung Fu since eight years. “Kung Fu makes me confident, I’m not afraid to go out by myself anymore. Girls are not allowed to go out by themselves, but they want to do many things. They get inspired by us.”
The Kung Fu Nuns perform an early morning puja (prayer chanting) at the main prayer hall at the Druk Amitabha Nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 7, 2019. Each day, the nuns perform two pujas, one in the early morning, and one in the evening.
Young nuns arrive with tea pots during the evening puja at the main prayer hall of the Druk Amitabha nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, March 22, 2023. It is the youngest nuns’ duty to serve tea during evening and morning pujas (prayer chanting).
The Kung Fu Nuns ride their mountain bikes in the morning during their cycle yatra in Mustang, Gandaki province, Nepal, March 19, 2023. The Buddhist Drukpa nuns conduct their cycle yatra annually, to promote environmental awareness and gender equality in the Himalayan region.
Jigme Sharap (left), 38, and Jigme Wangdan Lhamo (right), 40, perform an early morning puja (prayer chanting) in a small building at their campsite in Tiplyang village, Mustang, Gandaki province, Nepal, March 20, 2023. All nuns that participate in the cycling yatra perform both daily pujas in their biking outfits, including the helmet. A few nuns who drive jeeps, or the food and water trucks, wear their traditional robes throughout the journey.
The Kung Fu Nuns ride their bicycles in the morning during their cycle yatra in Mustang, Gandaki province Nepal, March 19, 2023. The Buddhist Drukpa nuns conduct their cycle yatra annually, to promote environmental awareness and gender equality in the Himalayan region.
Jigme Rupa Lhamo (above), 26, and Dechen Tsogyal, 8, pictured during Kung Fu training at Druk Amitabha Mountain nunnery. Recounting how she became a nun, Jigme Rupa Lhamo said “I was the only daughter, my mom was not ready, but now she is happy and proud. Kung Fu makes me confident, I’m not afraid to go out by myself anymore. Girls are not allowed to go out by themselves, but they want to do many things. They get inspired by us." Kathmandu, Nepal, April 8, 2019.
Stanzin Dehdol (C), 12, practices self-defense techniques with 37 fellow Ladakhi girls in Shey, Ladakh, India, July 28, 2019. “I want to protect myself from strangers. I feel proud and confident now”, said Stanzin Dehdol after completing the Kung Fu Nuns’ self-defense workshop. In July 2019, for the third time, the Drukpa nuns held a 7-day self-defense workshop for 38 females from Ladakh, India, aged between 6-27 years, at the Naropa Photang temple. Aimed at helping young girls build confidence and physical strength, the workshop includes physical self-defense training, as well as discussions on women’s health, self-protection, and speaking out about difficult topics like abuse.
Jigme Yangskit, 14, is one of 38 Ladakhi girls, aged between 6-27 years, who participated in the Kung Fu Nuns' self-defense workshop at the Naropa Photang temple. Aimed at helping young girls build confidence and physical strength, the workshop includes physical self-defense training, as well as discussions on women’s health, self-protection, and speaking out about difficult topics like abuse. Shey, Ladakh, India, July 24, 2019.
Jigme Jangchub Chosdon (right),18, pictured during Kung Fu training at the Druk Amitabha nunnery, became a nun when she was sixteen years old. She was inspired by HH, who gave teachings in Ladakh. "HH spoke of environmental works, gender equality, and of making a difference. I wanted to be a part of that", she said. Kathmandu, Nepal, March 28, 2019.
The Kung Fu Nuns stand for a portrait on their mountain bikes in the early morning during their cycle yatra in Mustang, Gandaki province, Nepal, March 19, 2023. The Buddhist Drukpa nuns conduct their cycle yatra annually, to promote environmental awareness and gender equality in the Himalayan region.
The nuns perform an early morning puja at the Druk Amitabha Nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, 07 April, 2019.
At the final day of the workshop, the Kung Fu nuns say goodbye to their students. Shey, Ladakh, India, July 29, 2019.
Jigme Tsering Josdol (left), 21, Jigme Kunzang Lhamo (middle), 22, and Jigme Maha Dakini (right), 21, portrayed during the evening puja (prayer chanting) inside their tent at the nun’s campsite for this night during the cycle yatra. Tipliyang, Mustang, Gandaki, Nepal, March 19, 2023.