Where Empowerment Takes Place: A Personal Story

Tenzin Dechen

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of educational programs on the empowerment of Buddhist women in the remote reaches of the Indian Himalayas. Women in Himalayan Buddhist cultures still face many obstacles on their worldly and spiritual paths. Living conditions in these remote mountain regions are very harsh, especially in the frozen winters. Food and drinking water are often in short supply and there are few educational and medical facilities. Women live especially difficult lives. For girls, education is often considered irrelevant and the government schools do not facilitate the study of their own Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage.

To address these problems, Jamyang Foundation has established a number educational projects for Buddhist women in the Indian Himalayas. By taking part in the educational programs offered by the foundation, Buddhist women receive both a basic education and are able to pursue learning that is harmonious with their personal interests and unique Buddhist cultural backgrounds. After completing their studies, these women hope to serve as teachers, health care workers, community workers, and mentors to others. They will be able to help their people and help revitalize their special cultural heritage.

Jampa Choling Institute in Meeru, Kinnaur, India, is one of these educational projects. Established in 2001, it is the first of its kind in Kinnaur. Presently, 18 young women are studying there. Over the years, we have had many wonderful volunteer teachers from various countries. This paper presents the educational programs offered at the Institute and the interactions between teachers and students that have influenced participants in the program. It discusses the educational program, the education process as a means of personal growth, and the impact on the program on the empowerment of young women at the Institute. Keeping in mind that empowerment works reciprocally, I will describe the interactions between teachers and students, showing how the volunteers at these educational programs use their own power to empower others and also reap the benefits of sharing their education and experience.