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Investing in the Future of Humanity

This is a special blog post by Steve Wilhelm, a Tibetan Nuns Project board member since 2008, a dharma teacher, and editor of Northwest Dharma News.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns with His Holiness the Dalai Lama 2013

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to Tibetan Buddhist nuns from India and Nepal, after they debated in front of him during the annual inter-nunnery debate in 2013. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

When I first arrived at Dolma Ling Nunnery in 2014, on my first visit there, I heard distant shouts in the night air.

Looking east, I saw lights against the dark sky and assumed it was a soccer game or something similar somewhere just outside the nunnery. Being a curious sort I went to investigate, and to my surprise found not a lively athletic event but 40 to 50 nuns vigorously engaged in debate.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns debating at Dolma Ling Nunnery by Steve Wilhelm

Daily practice in monastic debate is critically important in traditional Tibetan Buddhist learning. Photo of Tibetan Buddhist nuns debating at Dolma Ling Nunnery by Steve Wilhelm.

Outdoors in the fall air, under metal canopies funded by donors from around the world, the nuns energetically debated subtle points about the very nature of reality. In groups of three or four, a standing nun would challenge one sitting in what was obviously brilliant repartee.

Debate practice is a central part of Buddhist practice in this tradition. In this, the nuns study a concept or text in the morning and then debate it later in the day.

A central and vivid quality of what I saw that night, and in many other encounters during this visit and a later one in 2017, was the energy and determination of the nuns.

Many times I’d encounter a nun late at night, studying under the light of an outdoor walking path light. Often they were sitting on the ground and hunched over a text, memorizing or reciting.

Two Tibetan Buddhist nuns studying together. Photo courtesy of Olivier Adam.

In this way, these nuns were taking advantage of the precious opportunity they have for spiritual growth, which includes growing in the capacity to benefit others.

Investing in the Future of Humanity

It was just this dedication and the potential for these nuns to benefit many beings far into the future, which inspired me to leave a bequest for the Tibetan Nuns Project in my will.

Supporting the future of the Tibetan Nuns Project, and in turn nurturing the future of the nuns that the Tibetan Nuns Project supports, seems one of the best possible investments in the future of humanity.

The world is in a perilous condition here in 2025, with too many national leaders, almost exclusively male, filled with too much hubris around power and strength.

Steve Wilhelm and the Tibetan Buddhist nun he and his partner Ellen sponsor

Steve and Dechen, the nun he and his wife Ellen sponsor. “Dechen embodies the nuns’ promise for the future and wants to become a Geshema,” says Steve. Photos by Steve Wilhelm

By comparison, these nuns are deeply dedicated to spiritual practice, to refining themselves in a perfection of ethics, kindness, and wisdom. These are qualities deeply needed in this compromised era. These nuns will set an example, a standard, for generations to come and especially for future young people.

In addition, it simply seems that we need more women in leadership in every aspect of society, to bring more compassion into decisions of global import. The growing number of Buddhist nuns around the world is a key part of that empowerment, and the Tibetan Nuns Project has been a leader in this work.

The Tibetan Nuns Project has supported nuns in their education and their practice, and in their attaining Geshema degrees, the monastic equivalent of a doctorate degree.

A Geshema nun practicing retreat at hut at Dolma Ling photo by Steve Wilhelm

A Geshema nun practicing in a retreat hut at Dolma Ling. The Geshema degree is the highest level of training in the Gelug tradition and was only formally opened to women in 2012. Photo by Steve Wilhelm.

These Geshema degrees put the nuns on an equal footing with the most educated male monastics and empower them to teach other nuns in the future. The difference is a profound transformation, ending 1,200 years of sexist bias in which only male monastics could reach this highest level of accreditation.

Added up, these factors are why my wife Ellen and I have dedicated a portion of our legacy, in my will, to the Tibetan Nuns Project.

Tibetan Nuns Project board of directors in 2017

The Tibetan Nuns Project’s 2017 board of directors had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the 30th anniversary celebrations. Steve is on the right.

I’ve served on the board of the Tibetan Nuns Project since 2008 because it’s been continually clear just how important this work is. Now adding a donation to the Tibetan Nuns Project as a legacy in my will means that this kindness and generosity will continue long after I am gone.

If you are so moved, please do the same. You can learn more about leaving a legacy to help the nuns here.

Creating a Legacy of a Kinder World: An Interview

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Jalene Szuba joined the Tibetan Nuns Project board of directors in June 2024. A supporter of Tibetan Buddhist nuns for over half her life, she has also left a portion of her estate to the Tibetan Nuns Project to create a legacy of a kinder world. Read her story and see the extended trailer of her film about the nuns.

Jalene Szuba is a board-certified health coach helping busy professionals master their sleep for better health. She lives in Colorado with her life love Evan and their boxer Gus.

How did you first get involved with the nuns and the Tibetan Nuns Project?

In 1996, I met the photographer, Jessica Tampas, who was involved with the Tibetan resettlement program in Chicago and we hit it off. I was interested in the Tibetan situation and was longing to visit the Tibetan refugees in India.

Jessica invited me to join her on a trip to Dharamsala in 1997 to photograph the Tibetan nuns and the Tibetan Children’s Village. I was a film major and brought my video camera to capture footage of both. I edited a few pieces when I returned to show at an exhibition Jessica had organized to raise awareness and funds for the Tibetan Nuns Project and the Tibetan Children’s Village.

archival photo 1997 of Jalene Szuba with Tibetan Buddhist nuns

Jalene (top left) with Tibetan refugee nuns in 1997. She shared, “I’ve always been an advocate for female equality and empowerment so it just made sense to support an organization that was making sure these women had the same education and opportunities as the monks.”

What is it about the Tibetan Nuns Project’s mission and work that speaks to you?

When I first met the nuns in 1997 and learned about the mission of the Tibetan Nuns Project I was struck by how historic it was. This was something that had never happened — the nuns getting a formal education with the goal of attaining higher degrees.

I was also struck by how much they had accomplished in just 10 years. I felt honored to capture the nuns as they physically carried the rocks and built Dolma Ling Nunnery with their own bare hands. I’ve always been an advocate for female equality and empowerment so it just made sense to support an organization that was making sure these women had the same education and opportunities as the monks.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India building a nunnery photo Jessica Tampas copy

In 1997, Jalene filmed the nuns building Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute. The nunnery is now home to over 250 nuns and is fully supported by the Tibetan Nuns Project. Photo by Jessica Tampas.

Why is this cause important?

Women give so much to the world. They deserve every opportunity as men but they also need to be educated to have confidence, respect, and opportunities. The Tibetan Nuns Project provides the education and resources for these monastic women to go out into the world and help make it a kinder place. I also believe that having women educated in Buddhism brings a new perspective to what was once a male-dominated arena.

You’ve included a legacy gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project. What led you to that decision?

I’ve been supporting the organization in various ways for 27 years, that’s half my lifetime, so it made sense to me to include the Tibetan Nuns Project in my will.

“A legacy gift is important to me because I want to ensure the nuns are supported so they can carry out their mission and my ultimate goal of having a kinder world.” Jalene has returned to India many times to document the nuns’ progress. Here she is in 2017 with the Dolma Ling Media Nuns, Venerable Delek Yangdron and Venerable Delek Yangchen.

Was it difficult to include a charitable gift in your will?

Not at all. In fact, my lawyer asked me if I had any organizations I wanted to leave a legacy gift for. I opted to make it a percentage of my estate so that it won’t matter how much or how little I have, the Tibetan Nuns Project will still get something.

Why is a legacy gift important to you?

I want to ensure the nuns are supported so they can carry out their mission and my ultimate goal of having a kinder world. If my gift down the road can help make sure that happens, then it’s the least I can do. I want to know that I’ve created a legacy of my own.

Here is an 8-minute trailer of Jalene’s film Quiet Strength that tells the story of three Tibetan nuns and the historic education that converted their suffering into strength, their exile into opportunity, and their learning into transforming their lives.

What do you wish other people knew about the Tibetan Nuns Project?

It’s important to know the history, that nuns before exile did not have educational opportunities equal to men in Tibet. It was a different time and one positive that came out of their exiled situation is now there are nunneries and a formal education system for them. Now the nuns have this historic opportunity and they are making the most of it.

“I’ve been supporting the organization in various ways for 27 years, that’s half my lifetime, so it made sense to me to include the Tibetan Nuns Project in my will.”

Can you tell us about a personal experience with the nuns that is special to you?

I was fortunate enough to spend six weeks living in the guest house at Dolma Ling. I got to experience the nuns’ day-to-day life and a few things struck me. First, their dedication to their studies is impressive. They get up early for prayers, attend classes all day, do chores, and study. It is a full day but you never hear them complain. They are so grateful for the opportunity and are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. There is a strong sense of self-pride and pride in the Tibetan culture.

The other thing that struck me was their support of each other. They ask each other for help in shaving their heads, they help each other study. They really want their fellow nuns to succeed. There is an air of support not competition at the nunneries. All for one and one for all is felt.

Are you interested in leaving a Legacy of Compassion?

Jalene used a lawyer to draft her will but there are also free online services. If you are interested in leaving a legacy to help the Tibetan Buddhist nuns, please contact us at info@tnp.org and and visit our legacy page here. Our legal name and address is Tibetan Nuns Project, 815 Seattle Blvd. S. #418, Seattle, WA 98134 USA Ph: 206-652-8901 Email: info@tnp.org Web: tnp.org Tax ID number (US) 68-0327175

If you have already included a gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project, please let us know and we will send you an 8×10 print of Brian Harris’s iconic “Laughing Nuns” photo that he has generously given for legacy donors. See the photo and learn more here.

Creative Ways to Help Tibetan Buddhist Nuns

Wool-Aid: Knitting for Nuns

Wool-Aid, knitted sweaters for Tibetan Buddhist nuns

Our deepest thanks to Terry Yokota and all the volunteer knitters with Wool-Aid for their latest shipment of sweaters, hats, and mittens for Tibetan Buddhist nuns in India.

Since 2016, a group of volunteer knitters called Wool-Aid have knit hats, sweaters, and mittens for nuns at nunneries in northern India. The knitters thoughtfully choose colors in keeping with the nuns’ robes and also cover any shipping and receiving costs.

In December, the nuns at Dolma Ling received three boxes of knitwear from Wool-Aid. At this time, the Wool-Aid volunteers are fulfilling the needs of the various nunneries we support and there is no need for other knitters to send things.

Wool-Aid sweaters, hats and mittens, knitwear for Tibetan Buddhist nuns, ways to help

The Tibetan Buddhist nuns at Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute are delighted with their new sweaters, hats, and mittens from Wool-Aid.

The Etsy Shop Daughters of Buddha

Our long-time supporter, Olivier Adam, created an Etsy site called “Daughters of Buddha” in 2014 dedicated to supporting the Tibetan Nuns Project. Olivier sells fine art prints and postcards featuring his stunning photographs and kindly donates 50% of the sales to help the nuns.

Banner image for Olivier Adam’s Etsy site where he sells fine art prints and cards with 50% of the proceeds donated to the Tibetan Nuns Project.

Since 2008 Olivier has travelled at his own expense to document the lives of nuns in India and Nepal. He shares his images with the Tibetan Nuns Project and we also sell greeting cards with his photos here. There are three packs to choose from and they are a great value. Each pack costs US $20 and contains 10 blank cards and envelopes with beautiful photos donated by Olivier Adam and Brian Harris.

ways to help, blank greeting cards, Tibetan greeting cards, cards by Olivier Adam

Greeting cards with photos by Olivier Adam are available through the Tibetan Nuns Project online store.

Brian Harris’s Creative Legacy Campaign

You may be familiar with Brian Harris’s iconic photo of laughing nuns. Brian and his wife Paula have left gifts in their wills to the Tibetan Nuns Project and they wanted to encourage others to do the same. Brian has donated 8×10 prints of his “Laughing Nuns” to be given to anyone who confirms that they are leaving a legacy to the Tibetan Nuns Project. You can read the story behind the famous Laughing Nuns photo here.

laughing nuns by Brian Harris, legacy gift, free gift

Do What You Love and Benefit the Nuns

Once or twice a year for the past 12 years, the Tibetan Nuns Project has received a check from the Oxford University Press for royalties from the sale of a Buddhist book after the authors kindly donated their royalties to help the nuns.

Tibetan Buddhist nuns holding a thank-you sign

We are so grateful to everyone who pays it forward to help the nuns!

If you have something that you love doing, like baking bread, growing flowers, or making art, why not consider donating a portion of the proceeds to help educate and empower Tibetan Buddhist nuns?

Brian Harris: The Story Behind the Laughing Nuns Photo

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My name is Brian Harris. My wife Paula and I have left legacy gifts in our wills for the Tibetan Nuns Project as a way of continuing our support of the essential role that Tibetan nuns play in the ongoing transmission of the Buddha’s teaching.

Over 30 years ago, in 1989, I travelled to India to take photographs and gather sound recordings for a special exhibition called India: Eye to Eye. My journey took me to Dharamsala, the heart of the Tibetan exile community and home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

It was on this trip that I encountered the Tibetan Nuns Project. The Tibetan Nuns Project would become one of the charitable organizations that I chose to help with my photographic projects.

Laughing Nuns: The Story Behind the Photograph

It was lunchtime at Geden Choeling Nunnery when two nuns stepped out of the main entrance to the shrine hall. As soon as I spotted the lead nun holding a gong in one hand and a mallet in the other, I realized this might be a good photo opportunity. I pointed my camera and took one photo.

This was before digital cameras were common, so it was almost six months later when I was back in Vancouver and I finally developed the rolls of film from that trip. When I saw the photograph for the first time, I was stunned by its beauty and power. It wasn’t the photo I imagined I had taken.

I had thought I’d taken an image of a nun banging on a gong. Instead, it was a marvelous display of two nuns in full-bodied, infectious, joyful laughter. Little did I know that it would become an iconic image – one that so many people have come to identify with the Tibetan people’s indomitable spirit and light-hearted, warm character.

I’d like to suggest that you join me in leaving a lasting legacy to help the nuns, by including a gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project.

If you include a gift in your will to the Tibetan Nuns Project, I will send you an 8×10 print of the Laughing Nuns photo as a special thank you. Just contact the Tibetan Nuns Project office by emailing info@tnp.org or calling 1-206-652-8901.

For more information about leaving a legacy to help the nuns, visit the Legacy page and download the Legacies of Compassion booklet.

Giving and Receiving

Over many years, my association with the Tibetan Nuns Project has been a two-way relationship resulting in friendships and a deep satisfaction in knowing that my photographic gifts and project funds have been useful and kindly received.

The reciprocal relationship of receiving while giving that I experience with the Tibetan Nuns Project is, I think, beautifully portrayed in this image I took on my first trip to Tibet in 1987.

The photo above is of a nun humbly receiving blessed water offered by a Ganden Monastery monk. The blessed water is being given from a simple teapot rather than the traditional , more ornate vessel, because many of the valuable ritual implements were plundered during the violent occupation of Tibet several decades before. [Tibet has been under Chinese occupation since the 1950s. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, “More than 97 percent of monasteries and nunneries were destroyed and the number of monks and nuns living in the monasteries was reduced by 93 percent,” according to the 10th Panchen Lama’s famous petition submitted to the Chinese government on the conditions inside Tibet.]

An element in this photograph that I have always liked, but particularly appreciate more recently, is the fact that the face of the monk is in soft-focused shadow. In the Theravada tradition, there was and is a custom of a monk holding up an elaborately embroidered ritual fan in front of his face while teaching the Dharma. This symbolizes the impersonal nature of the teaching, thus reminding both listener and speaker that it’s the Dharma that is the primary teacher or wisdom source, not the individual giving the teaching or recitation.

May all beings be happy and free of distress!

Brian Harris