LONDON: Buddhist nuns swapped their maroon robes for black belts on Thursday, performing somersaults, high kicks, splits, and punches to demonstrate how they are using Kung Fu to empower women in the conservative Himalayas.
The nuns, from an age-old Buddhist sect based mainly in India and Nepal, are not only gathering attention due to their martial arts expertise but are also teaching women in India self-defence amid rising reports of sex crimes.
“Some people make comments. They say we should just sit and pray and meditate,” said Jigme Wangchuk Lhamo, 19, who demonstrated her skills on stage at the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s Trust Conference.
“But a nun’s duty is more than that. We have to better society and do well for others.”
Rape is rampant all over the world, but more so in South Asia including Pakistan and India.
“Girls face problems when they go out and especially in the evening they don’t want to go out alone,” said Wangchuk.
“Kung Fu can help them … Kung Fu makes you confident.”
About 700 nuns globally belong to the Drukpa lineage, which is the only female order in the patriarchal Buddhist monastic system where nuns have equal status to monks.
Traditionally, nuns are expected to cook and clean and are not permitted to engage in sports. But this changed a decade ago when His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, the leader of the 1,000-year-old sect, encouraged the nuns to learn Kung Fu.
He also gave the nuns leadership roles, supported them to study beyond Buddhist teachings enabling them to take a more active role in their communities.
They treat sick animals, organize eye care camps, and have trekked and cycled through the Himalayas to raise awareness on issues from pollution to human trafficking.
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the nuns trekked to remote villages to remove rubble, clear pathways and distribute food and medicines to survivors.
They also heard that girls and women were being trafficked across the border to India.
“It was terrible. People were selling their sisters, daughters and even mothers just to have money to rebuild their homes,” Wangchuk told delegates at the conference, which focuses on modern-day slavery and women’s empowerment.
“Some men just see girls as a bunch of money … but we need to change this and help promote equality. His Holiness likes to encourage girls. He says there can be no world peace unless we are all equal.”
