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Meet the Kung Fu nuns of Nepal who are on a mission

The Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery in Katmandu, Nepal teaches its nuns a mixture of martial arts and meditation as a means of empowering the young women.
The Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery in Katmandu, Nepal teaches its nuns a mixture of martial arts and meditation as a means of empowering the young women. (Photo | AP)
The Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery in Katmandu, Nepal teaches its nuns a mixture of martial arts and meditation as a means of empowering the young women. (Photo | AP)
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In the inherently patriarchal Buddhist monastic system, women are considered inferior to men. Buddhist nuns usually take care of the household duties and other tedious chores. But in 2008, the leader of the 1,000-year-old Drukpa lineage, His Holiness The Gyalwang Drukpa, changed the system. Other than household chores, now the nuns run a store in the nunnery. They take care of finance and have become experts in many adventurous sports. (Photo | AP)
In the inherently patriarchal Buddhist monastic system, women are considered inferior to men. Buddhist nuns usually take care of the household duties and other tedious chores. But in 2008, the leader of the 1,000-year-old Drukpa lineage, His Holiness The Gyalwang Drukpa, changed the system. Other than household chores, now the nuns run a store in the nunnery. They take care of finance and have become experts in many adventurous sports. (Photo | AP)
Last year 500 nuns participated in a bicycle trek of 4,000 km along with his holiness The Gyalwang Drukpa. The expedition was from Kathmandu to Leh in India. (Photo | AP)
Last year 500 nuns participated in a bicycle trek of 4,000 km along with his holiness The Gyalwang Drukpa. The expedition was from Kathmandu to Leh in India. (Photo | AP)
The purpose of the expedition is to raise awareness about environmental protection and human trafficking in the remote region. (Photo | AP)
The purpose of the expedition is to raise awareness about environmental protection and human trafficking in the remote region. (Photo | AP)
The women nuns are dressed in traditional maroon robes modified in the style of karate uniforms. Their incredible energy and strength reflects on their smiling faces. (Photo | AP)
The women nuns are dressed in traditional maroon robes modified in the style of karate uniforms. Their incredible energy and strength reflects on their smiling faces. (Photo | AP)
The Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery in Kathmandu houses 400 nuns. The youngest nun is 9-year-old while the oldest is 43. The nuns residing there are from Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. (Photo | AP)
The Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery in Kathmandu houses 400 nuns. The youngest nun is 9-year-old while the oldest is 43. The nuns residing there are from Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and India. (Photo | AP)
The nuns during the Nepal's deadliest earthquake of 2015 trekked to nearby villages to help remove rubble and clear pathways. They distributed food to the survivors and helped pitch tents for shelter. (Photo | AP)
The nuns during the Nepal's deadliest earthquake of 2015 trekked to nearby villages to help remove rubble and clear pathways. They distributed food to the survivors and helped pitch tents for shelter. (Photo | AP)
The buddhist nuns offered their wishes to the participating nuns in a month long bicycle pilgrimage in Kathmandu. These nuns are on a mission to empower women and bring a change. (Photo | AP)
The buddhist nuns offered their wishes to the participating nuns in a month long bicycle pilgrimage in Kathmandu. These nuns are on a mission to empower women and bring a change. (Photo | AP)
This year roughly 200 buddhist nuns are participating on a month long bicycle pilgrimage starting from 23rd December. They are on an expedition to cover a distance of 3000 Kms. pedaling through Nepal and India to empower women and promote awareness around the human trafficking epidemic facing Nepal and India. (Photo | AP)
This year roughly 200 buddhist nuns are participating on a month long bicycle pilgrimage starting from 23rd December. They are on an expedition to cover a distance of 3000 Kms. pedaling through Nepal and India to empower women and promote awareness around the human trafficking epidemic facing Nepal and India. (Photo | AP)
Nuns
Kung Fu nuns
Katmandu
Druk Gawa Khilwa nunnery

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