- Nov 21, 2025
- by Ashley Chen
- 119
Their Majesties Lead Auspicious Alms Offering for Newly Ordained Gelongmas
Bhutan marks a historic spiritual milestone as Their Majesties offer auspicious alms to newly ordained Gelongmas. With 265 nuns from 14 countries receiving full ordination, the ceremony strengthens the bhikkhuni lineage and concludes the Global Peace Prayer Festival with profound significance.
On 20 November 2025, Their Majesties The King and Gyaltsuen received the newly ordained Gelongmas and offered the first auspicious alms to mark their ordination. The nuns, who have been receiving full Gelongma ordination from His Holiness the Je Khenpo over the past several days, then made their way along Norzin Lam for the traditional alms round.
What is a Gelongma
“Gelongma” refers to a fully ordained Buddhist nun who has taken the highest level of monastic vows in the Buddhist tradition.
In simple terms, a Gelongma is the female equivalent of a Gelong (Bhikkhu) — a fully ordained monk.
These vows are extensive and rigorous, often numbering hundreds of precepts, and represent complete commitment to monastic life, ethical discipline, and spiritual practice. Taking Gelongma vows places a nun at the highest rank within the monastic community.
Because the lineage of full ordination for women disappeared in many Buddhist regions centuries ago, the revival of Gelongma ordination is considered historically and spiritually significant.
A Historic Procession Through Thimphu
Hundreds lined the route to offer alms and prayers as the Gelongmas walked in quiet grace towards Clock Tower Square, where they were formally received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. The procession served as the final public event of the Global Peace Prayer Festival, held in honour of the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King.
One of Bhutan’s Most Significant Ordinations
This year’s ceremony brought together more than 260 nuns from 14 countries, making it one of the largest and most significant Gelongma ordinations ever held in Bhutan. Organised over five days by the Bhutan Nuns Foundation in partnership with the Central Monastic Body, the event follows the landmark 2022 ordination, when full Mahayana Gelongma vows were conferred on a large group of nuns in the region for the first time.
Restoring a Sacred Lineage
The continuation of Gelongma ordination in Bhutan is viewed as a vital step in restoring a lineage that had faded in many parts of the Buddhist world. With full vows, nuns participate equally in the monastic community, helping re-establish the complete fourfold sangha of monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen described in early Buddhist teachings.
A Milestone for Women in Vajrayana Buddhism
Bhutan is now among the few places where women can receive full ordination within the Vajrayana tradition—a development widely regarded as spiritually momentous for the advancement of the Dharma and for expanding opportunities for women pursuing monastic life. The culmination of the 265 nuns ordination and today’s alms offering marks an auspicious close to weeks of prayers, ceremonies, and national celebrations held under the Global Peace Prayer Festival.
Sharing Merit Through Almsgiving
As alms mendicants, monks and nuns rely on these offerings for their daily sustenance. Giving alms is seen as a powerful act of generosity, an opportunity for the public to share in the merit of those who dedicate their lives to the Dharma.
Strengthening the Bhikkhuni Lineage
This historic gathering marks the second Mahayana Buddhist nuns’ ordination organised by the Bhutan Nuns Foundation, further strengthening the bhikkhuni lineage and advancing the role of women in Buddhism.