Dharamshala — A conference entitled "Women’s Empowerment in Tibetan Buddhism: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Aspirations and Efforts," was held in Dharamshala, bringing together 86 nuns from 13 nunneries in India and Nepal. The conference focused on the institutionalisation of the geshema degree and the role of Tibetan nuns in serving society. The Geshemas also discussed how nuns and Geshemas can make a positive contribution to Tibetan societies and the wider world.
The Conference on “Women's Empowerment in Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Aspiration and Effort" was jointly organised by the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration and the Dalai Lama Trust, with support from the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Tibetan Women’s Association, as part of celebrating 90th birthday and year of compassion. With a total of 86 participants from 13 nunneries across India and Nepal attended the conference, representing all schools and traditions of the Tibetan Buddhism and Yungdrung Bon. The two-day conference on Women’s Empowerment in Tibetan Buddhism held from May 20 to 21, 2026, at the auditorium of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamshala, H.P, India.
The conference was inaugurated by Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Jedrung Rinpoche. Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Minister (Kalon) Rinchen Khando; Youdon Aukatsang, Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project; Dhondul Dorjee, Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture; Jamphel Lhundup, Secretary of the Dalai Lama Trust; Geshe Thupten Jinpa; Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives; Tsering Dolma, President of the Tibetan Women’s Association; Ven. Thupten Yarphel, Principal of Namgyal Monastery; Geshema Delek Wangmo, Academic Principal of Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute; Tenzin Pema, Additional Secretary of the Department of Education (CTA); and Tenzin Dolkar, Head of the Women’s Empowerment Desk at the Department of Finance (CTA).
Jamphel Lhundup, Jamphel Lhundup, Secretary of the Dalai Lama Trust, stated that this conference was part of the celebrations marking His Holiness’s 90th birthday and the Year of Compassion. His Holiness the Dalai Lama often believes that women demonstrate greater compassion and are capable of leading the world towards a more peaceful era; this is why His Holiness has also made great efforts to empower women, particular on the strengthening the education, ordination, and recognition of Buddhist women through institutional and spiritual reforms.
“Within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has long been an advocate for the empowerment and equal rights of women, particularly nuns. He has given numerous teachings on the importance of equality and has taken significant steps to re-establish the lineage of women’s monastic ordination. In 1987, at the first International Conference of Nuns held in Bodhgaya, His Holiness presided over the event and provided guidance on the restoration of the female monastic lineage. Over time, he also reintroduced the historic title of ‘Geshema’, and in 2016, the first Geshema degrees were conferred by him at Drepung Monastery in southern India. Today, there are more than 120 Geshemas, and this recognition underscores the high esteem and respect accorded to Tibetan nuns. All these achievements bear witness to the profound impact of the grace and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he added.
Kundeling Tatsak Jedrung Rinpoche briefly introduced prominent women from around the world, followed by renowned Buddhist nuns from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He also highlighted the tremendous efforts made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to empower Buddhist nuns and encouraged the Geshemas to promote the Dharma for the society and for the benefit of all beings.
The main topics discussed at the conference centred on the “History of Conferring the Geshema Degree,” “the development of curricula in nunneries,” “Leadership of Geshemas in Society and Monasteries,” “Future Visions, International Recognition and Collaboration,” “Biographies of 21 Great Female Achievers from the Indian and Tibetan Traditions,” and “Challenges and Strategies."
Sikyong Penpa Tsering attended the closing ceremony of the two-day conference on Women’s Empowerment in Tibetan Buddhism. Sikyong Penpa Tsering emphasised that it is thanks to the wise and visionary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama that Tibetan Buddhism has been preserved in exile, notably through the unprecedented conferral of Geshema degrees, considered a historic reform in Tibetan Buddhism.
Whilst expressing concern about the decline in the number of Tibetans entering monasteries and nunneries, the Sikyong also highlighted a positive aspect of this trend: the growing participation of Himalayan communities within these institutions. He noted: “Leadership positions within these religious institutions are also increasingly being filled by Himalayans, such as the 102nd Gaden Tripa, Kyabje Rizong Sras Rinpoche, who is of Ladakhi origin.” The Sikyong added that this trend also helps to ensure the survival of the Tibetan language, which forms the foundation for the study of Tibetan Buddhism.
