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He was worried because I didn't leave a message and he called me back a bit later. I remember he was driving along the road and I told him to pull over.

It sounds weird, but it was really hard to tell him I'd decided to become a Buddhist nun and was going to stay in Australia. I can't remember what words I used, but of course his initial reaction was one of shock. 

It was a shock for me too. I'd made the decision, but never said the words out loud before. A couple of days later I phoned the family again and answered loads of questions about why I wanted to be a nun. 

I wrote a long letter to everyone back home too and very soon they understood what I wanted to do and accepted it. Everyone wanted me to be happy, and that made them comfortable with my choice.

The Chenrezig Institute

I left Suffolk for Australia in 2005 to stay with my aunt. I was still getting over the death of my partner, Vern, from cancer. My aunt is a Buddhist and she recommended the Chenrezig centre in Queensland for a retreat. 

I applied to be a volunteer in the coffee shop because if you did that you could use the centre and go to the teachings. The first course I did, the Vipassana, was a revelation for me. 

I went travelling for a couple more months before returning to the centre where I volunteered to help on the administration side of things. I went on the Nyung Na retreat which was 2-days of fasting and it was during this that I knew I wanted to be a nun.

I was ordained on the 23rd November 2005. They shaved my head that morning but left a little tuft of hair on the crown so it could be cut off during the ceremony. You go in wearing your normal clothes, and half way through the ceremony you change into your robes. 

The other monks and nuns are waiting for you when you get back. The ceremony took 3 hours. The Tibetan teachers give you your vows and you have to say them back. 

Tibet's Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama

It’s a very formal ceremony with offerings of flowers, fruit and incense. My Tibetan name is Lozang Drölma. Lozang is my teacher’s name and Drölma is a representation of compassionate action. After you’ve been ordained you don’t have a specific role other than you’ve made the commitment to spend your life working for the benefit others. 

I came back to visit my family at their home near Grundisburgh at Christmas. My nana thought I’d be coming home in white, but I've got the maroon and saffron robes. It took a few days for my brothers to get used to the shaved head, but everyone says it suits me and they like it. I thought my family would think I’ve got rid of all evidence of 'Emma' but it doesn't appear that way to them. 

All ordained people study for the rest of their life. Now I'm back in Queensland I'm taking part in a 5-year study programme in Buddhist philosophy and psychology. It's a full time course, and my aim is to become a western teacher.