Spiritual Unity and Strength: Highlights of the 10th Annual Drukpa Council

Yab Dhondup Gyaltshen and Yum Sonam Chuki are gracing as the special guests for this year’s ADC programme

Kathmandu, Nepal (December 28, 2024)– Serving as a hub for community events and humanitarian efforts, the Kung Fu Nuns from the Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism are set to host the 10th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC), a conference featuring profound teachings, inspiring talks, and humanitarian discussions by leaders of the Drukpa Lineage. 

 The event takes place in Kathmandu today, December 28, 2024, and will continue till January 1, 2025. The Chairperson of Nepal’s National Assembly, Narayan Prasad Dahal, will inaugurate the spiritual conference at Druk Amitabha Monastery—locally known as Seto Gumba or the White Monastery—on December 28. The council is expected to bring together spiritual leaders, environmentalists, and peace advocates from Bhutan, India, Nepal, and other Himalayan regions, along with participants from around the world. Bhutan will be represented by its Home Minister and a senior spiritual master, Khenchen Tandin Sithub, who is attending on behalf of His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the chief abbot of Bhutan’s Monastic Body. 

Yab Dhondup Gyaltshen and Yum Sonam Chuki arrived in Kathmandu yesterday as the special guests for this year’s ADC programme.

Founded in 2009 by Gyalwang Drukpa, the revered head of the Drukpa Lineage, the ADC seeks to foster global compassion, harmony, and spiritual growth. Resuming after a six-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event is themed “Rejoice: Connect and Aspire Beyond Boundaries” and also marks the reopening of the nunnery to the public. 

A Spiritual Renaissance 

The five-day gathering promises an enriching experience, blending spiritual teachings, cultural performances, and humanitarian discussions. Organizers emphasize the transformative nature of the event, which aims to inspire attendees toward spiritual growth and compassion.  “The ADC serves as a platform to reconnect Himalayan communities with their spiritual heritage while inspiring global unity,” said an event coordinator.  The council’s conclusion on New Year’s Day symbolizes a fresh chapter of unity, growth, and spiritual transformation. With over 3,000 participants expected, the ADC reinforces Nepal’s position as a global spiritual destination while contributing significantly to the local economy.  

Champions of Change: The Kung Fu Nuns  

A major highlight of the ADC is the participation of the celebrated Kung Fu Nuns. These nuns, who combine spiritual discipline with martial arts, will perform Kung Fu demonstrations, sacred drum rituals, and other ceremonial activities. “Kung Fu is part of our daily routine,” said 24-year-old Jigme Yangchen Gamo, a Kung Fu Nun. “It’s not about violence but about maintaining physical and mental strength, allowing us to focus and concentrate on our responsibilities.”  

With the return of the ADC, the Kung Fu Nuns are reopening the monastery’s gates to the public for the first time since the pandemic. Home to 300 nuns, the nunnery serves as a center for practice, worship, and humanitarian coordination. While the work of the Kung Fu Nuns has inspired many, the nunnery itself stands as a model of sustainability and service, according to ADC officials. 

Hailing from the Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism—which boasts a thousand-year history tracing back to the Indian saint Naropa—the Kung Fu Nuns continue their legacy under the spiritual leadership of the Gyalwang Drukpa. With his encouragement and support, the nuns began practicing Kung Fu to build strength and confidence.  The organizers have announced that the Kung Fu Nuns will take center stage in various prominent roles during the council, serving as hosts, speakers, and performers. Their demonstrations of Kung Fu skills and sacred drum rituals are anticipated to be among the event’s highlights. 

Legacy of the Drukpa LineageThe Drukpa Lineage, with roots tracing back to the 12th-century charismatic Buddhist figure in Tibet, Drogon Tsangpa Gyare (1161-1211), spans across the Himalayas, including Bhutan, Ladakh, and Nepal, and even Vietnam. It upholds the Mahayana Buddhist philosophy of compassion and service, which continues to inspire its followers globally.  The ADC stands as a testament to this enduring legacy, fostering unity among Bhutan, Nepal, and other Himalayan communities. “As the council ushers in the new year, it reinforces its mission of spreading wisdom and harmony across boundaries,” said an organizer.  

Live to Love InitiativeAs part of the ADC, the Live to Love initiative, in collaboration with the Nepal Red Cross Society, will host a blood donation drive from December 28 to 31. Founded by Gyalwang Drukpa in 2004, Live to Love is a global grassroots nonprofit that empowers Himalayan communities through education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.  The ADC will also feature a special awards ceremony on December 30 to honor the contributions of Live to Love chapters worldwide. Gyalwang Drukpa’s unwavering dedication towards making the world a better place to live for everyone has earned him numerous international awards and recognition including the UN Millennium Development Goals Award, Aurora Modern Day Hero Award and Green Hero Award. 

A Unified VisionThe 10th Annual Drukpa Council serves not only as a spiritual platform but also as a unifying event that celebrates the shared heritage of the Himalayan communities.  Today, the Drukpa lineage extends beyond Bhutan, with a significant presence in Ladakh, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti in India, as well as parts of parts of Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hongkong, Singapore, Australia, France, Germany and Canada. Its followers continue to uphold its teachings of compassion and service, spreading the values of the lineage worldwide.  With the participation of the Kung Fu Nuns and initiatives like Live to Love, the ADC encapsulates a vision of compassion, empowerment, and global harmony, creating a legacy for the future. 

The writer is the former Editor of Kuensel, Executive Director of the Journalists’ Association of Bhutan and Central Executive Member of SAARC Journalist Forum (SJF).