The Promise

“When I made a request to join the nunnery, it was not just a request. It was a commitment. If I break this, I’ll not be worthy of the commitment I have made.” –Tshering Bidha, 29, monastic prefect, Jachung Karmo nunnery, Punaka.

When Tshering Bidha first asked her parents for permission to join the nunnery, they refused, believing their daughter a daydreamer who lacked the conviction required to devote herself to a spiritual life. .

Defying her parent’s orders, Tshering Bidha stole away from home at the age of 18 and followed an elderly nun, Ani Pelden, from her village up to the cliff top nunnery through thick, leech-infested jungles. She has stayed at the nunnery ever since, and consequently made her parents proud.

Today, Tshering Bidha feels more resolved than ever to keep her promise to stay true to her spiritual path. She feels that the future of nunneries will be bright, despite not having teachers present to guide her path. Indeed, the biggest challenge for Tshering Bidha and the other nuns at Jachung Karmo is attracting good teachers to their isolated and remote retreat. “Once we can attract good teachers we can learn from them, and then begin to look after ourselves,” she concluded.