Becoming a Buddhist Bhikshuni in Bhutan

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What does it take to break the glass ceiling in Buddhism and be fully ordained as a female monk or bhikshuni? In 2022 the kingdom of Bhutan ordained 144 women in an unprecedented ceremony. Among them was Emma Slade, also known as Lopen Ani Pema Deki, from Kent in the UK. She was the only Western woman to take part. Emma’s faith has been a part of her life since she was held at gunpoint and robbed in Indonesia in 1997. She studied in Bhutan and set up a charity that supports children with special needs in the country. Now she divides her time between the Himalayan kingdom and the UK. She talks to Julia Paul about life as a bhikshuni in the UK and Bhutan, her memories of taking part in the historic mass ordination and what it means for Buddhist nuns in Bhutan and other countries. [Photo Credit: British Buddhist bhikshuni Emma Slade and Dr Tashi Zangmo, Executive Director of the Bhutan Nun’s Foundation (left to right)] Producer/presenter: Julia Paul Executive producer: Rajeev Gupta Editor: Chloe Walker Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno