Wisdom

“I know I have chosen the right path, and I have no regrets. I have committed no evil and no sin of the body, speech or mind.”
–Padma Pal, 63, head of the Zilukha nunnery, Thimpu.

Padma Pal’s primary teacher, Drupthop Rinpoche, granted her permission to grow her hair long after completing a three year, three month, 3 day retreat. Originally from Ladakh, India, she followed her Drupthop Rinpoche at the age of 19 to Bhutan, where he established the nunnery she currently heads. Her devotion and freedom to travel have enabled her to study with some of Buddhism’s greatest living teachers, including the Dalai Lama, whom she says has helped her evolve and deepen her spiritual practices.

While monks overall have fared better in the development of spiritual studies in the world, Padma Pal believes that the liberation of the mind should not be limited to men. “This should be open to women as well,” she said. “Equal participation of men and women will contribute greatly to spirituality and the spiritual cause.”