"In August 2025, 161 Tibetan Buddhist nuns from religious institutions across India and Nepal - a record number - gathered at the Dolma Ling Nunnery in northern India to take various levels of the "geshema" examination. These exams are in preparation for one day receiving the geshema degree, comparable with a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The nearly four-week gathering was especially notable because until 13 years ago it was completely unavailable to women."
"He encouraged nuns to become advanced degree holders as part of his broader goal to increase gender parity. "Biologically there is no difference between the brains of men and women and the Buddha clearly gave equal rights to men and women," he said in 2013. In addition to nuns reciting prayers and performing rituals, he emphasized they should study classic Buddhist texts, something traditionally reserved for men."
One hundred sixty-one Tibetan Buddhist nuns gathered at Dolma Ling Nunnery in August 2025 to take geshema examinations, a record turnout. The geshema degree is comparable to a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy and represents advanced scholastic achievement. Until thirteen years earlier such opportunities were unavailable to women. Greater emphasis on women's education has led nuns to become teachers, abbesses, principals, and role models, and to enter long retreats. The 14th Dalai Lama encouraged nuns to pursue advanced degrees, stressing biological equality and urging study of classic Buddhist texts, helping challenge misconceptions about women's intellectual abilities.
Read at The Conversation
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