Page 53 - EH66
P. 53
FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 51
With this knowledge, I now have nuns but due to some regulatory
the confidence to support others in restrictions by the Government
various ways, including teaching. and the onslaught of the Covid-19
Although both my degrees were on pandemic, it is now put on hold.
Buddhism, the focus was different. Nevertheless, I am helping nuns
For my M.A. degree, I learnt about and children from underprivileged
different Buddhist traditions which families to pursue their education
Doing Pre-survey of a Nuns Retreat Centre, gave me a wider perspective of the with the support of fellow Dharma
2013 vastness of Buddhist teachings. I friends. There are a few nuns who
hope that by getting a Ph.D. as a are preparing for the highest degree
nun, this recognition of academic of Geshema introduced for the
achievement will inspire and spur first time for nuns in 2016. Some
other nuns to have the confidence children are just starting a pre-
to study and progress despite their university study and some nuns
gender. In the current environment, are preparing to go for long term
nuns in Bhutan mainly serve the retreat, hence I try to help them
monks or the monasteries and fulfil their dream. However, I am
Recipients of scholarship from Bhutan.
are not given much opportunity still looking for sponsors for these
to study nor teach others even if good causes. Once the pandemic is
they have the qualifications and over, I hope to re-start the retreat
knowledge. So I hope to be the center for nuns and at the same
catalyst for this change of mind-set time help educate the children and
of the nuns. women in and around the village.
In terms of animal welfare, I help
My academic learning in a secular stray animals by feeding them,
Care for needy animals, including kittens. university also allows me to especially if they are malnourished.
understand not just other Buddhist If they are injured or sick, I would
traditions, but other religions as take them to the vet and sometimes
well, and the real-life challenges rehome them through the help of
that we face in the world today. It is social media as we do not have
important for us to apply modern our own animal shelter. I also wish
methods to overcome the problems to educate people to be kind to
we face in society today. animals and raise an awareness of
animal welfare. By participating in
Nuns from Jamyang Choling Institute, You have a deep interest in seminars and conferences, I also
Dharamsala, India, receiving free Ipads for animal welfare, the environment highlight the water crisis, climate
their on-line study preparing for the Geshema
exams during the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020. and climate change, and change, and global warming. Most
women’s rights issues, especially importantly, I hope to empower
among female monastics in the women to be educated as this is the
Himalayan region. What projects only way to rise above the problems
have you initiated to put these they face in life.
interests into action?
Can you share a bit more about
I don’t have any particular your retreat center for nuns and
projects on hand yet but I try to the type of support you need
Prayer for the deceased father of a friend, help wherever necessary. I plan right now?
Kuala Lumpur 2019, with Ven Dr Karma Tashi
Choeden of Malaysia to establish a retreat center for