The Druk Amitabha nunnery in Nepal reopened to the public after a five-year closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To mark the occasion, a group of nuns performed kung fu demonstrations, including sword techniques, before an enthusiastic audience. These nuns belong to the 1,000-year-old Drukpa lineage, which advocates for gender equality within the traditionally patriarchal Buddhist monastic system.
The nunnery, established in 2009, now houses 300 members aged between six and 54, who receive kung fu training to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. Beyond their spiritual pursuits, the nuns engage in relief missions and environmental initiatives across the Himalayas.