Why “Tsunma”?
Tsun: Tibetan བཙུན་་ (adj.) pure, noble, disciplined, learned, virtuous and of good character.
Tsunma: Tibetan བཙུན་མ་་ (noun) The classical term for a Buddhist nun, deemed both respectful and correct by HH the Gyalwang Drukpa and HH the Gyalwang Karmapa.
DGL Initiatives strives to address a need with a secondary project area called Tsunma. With Tsunma, we’re focusing on four projects that strengthen female monastic communities in India, Tibet and non-Himalayan countries. These projects all have a connection to Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Historically, Tibetan Buddhism relied on the vibrant web of monastic communities for both men and women. For the dharma to flourish, it’s vital that these precious traditions continue into the modern era. While most of us have not chosen the monastic path, we recognize the role that nuns and monks play in the tradition: as exemplary scholars, teachers, models of community and, more broadly, as inspiration for our individual spiritual journeys.
Sadly, Buddhist nunneries and monasteries today no longer receive sufficient support from their local communities. Modern-day monastics need funding to continue their training, to sustain their institutions and basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing.
