The morning of November 20, 2025, was surreal. In a moment that felt both timeless and transcendental, Thimphu’s Norzin Lam transformed into a living platform of devotion, humility, and spiritual unity, as 265 Buddhist nuns from 14 countries stepped forward in an alms-seeking procession, marking the profound conclusion of the Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF).
What unfolded next was a scene etched instantly into memory: the nuns began their sacred walk by receiving the first alms from Their Majesties the King and Queen, radiating a royal grace that set the tone for a morning steeped in reverence. Looking at the moment and what transpired later has touched the hearts of all the nuns, including those from beyond Bhutan.
Konchok Palden, a nun from Switzerland, said people of Bhutan has deeply moved her. “It is something special that a government and its leaders, including Their Majesties show such appreciation and support for nuns. This is truly incredibly encouraging for us nuns. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone.” Palden added that she could feel the strong devotion and kindness of the people of Bhutan. “I am very grateful that I was ordained in Bhutan and hope that I will always remain connected to this special country,” she said.
“I come from Switzerland, which is a beautiful country. But for me, Bhutan has something very special and unique. I hope that these good qualities of the heart will always remain alive in Bhutan and that the appreciation for this tradition of kindness will also inspire other nations. I think this is something we so desperately need in this world,” she underlined.
Bhiksuni Ayya Yeshe, Director of Bodhicitta Foundation India, said, “I have been a nun in Himalayan Buddhism for 24 years and I have often felt somewhat excluded by either patriarchy or ethnocentricism. This event in Bhutan was so moving because for the first time, we foreign nuns were included and showered with the blessings of full ordination and empowerment and we were treated the same as Himalayan nuns.”
She added that Their Majesties the King and Queen, His Holiness the Je Khenpo, and the Bhutan Nuns Foundation, has deeply inspired her. “It was also so wonderful to meet all the local people on the alms round, and feel them rejoicing with us, to finally see women as equals and part of the four fold Sangha (lay woman, men, fully ordained monks and nuns). The Buddha said a country is not a place where Buddhism thrives until there is the presence of these four. Now Bhutan is a true place where Dharma flourishes, as women are finally included, which uplifts everyone,” she said.
“I am in awe of your country, its kind people, its holy places and its verdant natural beauty. May the Dharma flourish and all beings attain awakening!”
Thupten Sangay Lhamo, a nun from Thupten Choling Goenpa, Jaigoan, India expressed her gratitude to Bhutan and all the people. “I will never forget how we were treated here by Their Majesties, His Holiness and the people. Receiving alms from His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen is a moment I will always cherish. The country, its leaders and people together make this beautiful world, which is the home of Dharma,” she said, adding that the same feelings are shared by other nuns.
Françoise Chödreun Desailly from France expressed the good fortune and immense joy of finally receiving the long-awaited and unexpected full ordination. “We spent ten days in a state of grace. We were deeply touched by so much gentleness, kindness, goodness and fervour. A huge thank you to the King, the Queen Mother and Prime Minister of Bhutan and, of course, to Je Khenpo for making such a great event possible. A huge thank you to the entire Bhutan Nuns Foundation team for managing such an event with patience and joy.”
Meanwhile, a nun from Thailand had told another media house that Bhutan was a reminder that true peace is possible when leaders, spiritual guardians, and the people walk together. “Today, we witnessed not just a ceremony, but the living spirit of compassion,” she had said, referring to Their Majesties giving alms to the nuns.
It wasn’t just the nuns who were moved. Karma Tenzin, who saw the nuns receiving alms from Their Majesties, on social media, said he could not control his tears. “Even as I was deeply moved by the procession of the nuns, seeing Their Majesties engaged in the ceremony was just out of thoughts. I am sure that the nuns also felt the same.”
Speaking about Their Majesties, Karma underscored that the presence of Their Majesties all the time at Changlimithang indicated humility and warmth. “As the host, Their Majesties were concerned about everyone’s welfare and the whole world saw this. Giving alms today to the nuns is an unprecedented gesture and the world has seen that Their Majesties are devout, humble, compassionate, morally responsible, and committed to supporting the spiritual life of the country. It highlights their role not just as political leaders, but as ethical and spiritual exemplars.”
Sangay Rabten,
From Thimphu
