The Kung Fu Nuns of the Himalayas

The Kung Fu nuns across the Himalayas have two missions: show that women can do anything and fight climate change with community-led initiatives. They are nuns of the Drukpa lineage, a thousand year old Buddhist tradition that began in the Himalayas. They have been recognized as championing gender equality and environmentally-friendly ways of living. Each year, they embark on "Eco-Pad Yatras" (usually 400+ miles long) on foot to pick up plastic, and educate locals on the future and present climate challenges facing South Asia. In the inherently patriarchal Buddhist monastic system, Kung Fu has helped many of the nuns develop self-confidence and change the hierarchy of their lineage which is now in the hands of these women. We followed their daily rituals of meditation, lectures, cycling and Kung Fu, as well as some of their social work promoting the safety of animals and a clean environment.