The Joining of Wisdom and Compassion: Tibetan Buddhist Nuns' Intellectual Agency and Sectarian Identity at Dolma Ling Nunnery

Historically, Tibetan nuns have had limited access to debate-based philosophical study or any formal monastic education, primarily being trained in ritual practices. While debate has been practiced by other sects, it is largely understood as a major component of the Gelukpa study program. This essay attempts to explore the introduction of debate at Dolma Ling, a non-sectarian nunnery, and how the practice of non-sectarianism is reflected in the curriculum, especially in a context where women have historically been excluded from the design of their own curriculum. While Dolma Ling's non-sectarian approach offers a platform for intra-sectarian dialogue, the Gelugpa-centric curriculum and emphasis on debate raise questions about the complexities of navigating sectarian identities. I aim to better understand how contemporary practices of debate among Tibetan nuns reflect and influence the evolving roles of women in Tibetan Buddhism, and the implications these changes have for gender equality, education, and monastic authority within the broader Tibetan community. Ethnographic fieldwork will be conducted at Dolma Ling, where interviews and conversations with nuns will reveal their experiences and challenges in practicing debate. The research will also investigate broader trends toward inclusivity in Tibetan education and the impact of these changes on nuns' roles as social actors within the Tibetan diaspora.