Running Away From Home to Become a Nun | Ladakh

It’s not uncommon for Ladakhi girls in their early teens to run away from home to join a Buddhist nunnery. They are never turned away. And their families gradually accept their decision.

Jigme, a young nun I met in Hemis, said that an inner calling beckon young girls to this life. Not any family or societal pressure. In fact, many girls today want to join orders but all cannot be accommodated. While boys can be inducted soon after birth, girls are usually taken in after they turn twelve.

What is a nun’s life? Those from Naropa Palace, who call themselves chotoks or dharma sisters, said their day progresses from morning prayers to meditation to evening prayers. Unlike monks, they don’t visit houses to conduct prayers.

Unfortunately, there are few schools for nuns. They get to study only Buddhism while monks receive all-round modern education. This leaves the nuns ill-equipped for the job market should they decide to leave the order. Not that many nuns leave. The social stigma is too high.

Nuns are a shy lot, not easy to talk to or photograph. I broke the ice with Jigme by offering tamarind sweets. She accepted them with thanks and a smile.

This post is featured in Ajay Jain’s book POSTCARDS FROM LADAKH, a travelogue and memory frozen in time circa 2009. Click here to order a copy for yourself and as a gift for others. Images also available as numbered prints in all sizes. All sizes, on archival paper or canvas. Delivered globally. Send enquires to stories@ajayjain.com.