A couple of weeks ago some photos appeared online advertising the line-up of confirmed guests for the upcoming Global Peace prayer festival in Thimphu, Bhutan (November 4th-11th) . It is fortunate to have realised Buddhist masters with pure lineages, such as HE 12th Tai Situpa and Gyaltsab Rinpoche, to join together and have Buddhist event focused on Global Peace and Kalacakra. If I had the resources, it is an event I would also have been happy to have participated in. However, what sadly caught a lot of people’s attention (including myself) was the all-male guest line-up (lay and monastic) and not one female face. Were women supposed to find this inspiring, insulting, comical or what? A perfect example for submission to the satirical website set up years ago to expose such events called Congrats you Have an All-Male Panel!
On seeing the photos, it was hard not laugh or cry in disbelief and frustration at the sheer blatant oversight (deliberate or not) of making “invisible” half the human race, women at an event claiming to be “global”. I immediately commented on the obvious absence of women, and how women had carried in their wombs for nine months, been born from women’s v**ginas, and fed/cared for every single man in those photos. These photos reveal a deeply-ingrained biological sexist bias, not gender bias alone. Yet the typical glib (mainly male) responses of “Dharma is ultimately without gender” etc. appeared. Yes, that’s right, so how come we never see any all-female panels?
After these photos had been published, a new one was swiftly issued including a photo of the Bhutanese female tulku called Khandro Dorje Phagmo Rinpoche (an emanation of Vajrayogini no less!). Although this was a welcome inclusion, it was still “too little too late”, as we say.
These photos tell you all you need to know. No need for any long-winded, pretentious academic analysis of it. As the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje (2021) recently taught about giving up eating murdered animals as food for compassionate reasons, we do not need lofty scriptural debates and quotes to know what even a child easily understands and sees when animals are deliberately murdered. It is blatantly obvious. Images speak a thousand words as we say.
Thus, there is not much more to add than what I have already written/said before on this topic. However, I wanted to share a few “plain English” observations for the record (mixed with a little humour) in relation to the Bhutan event and some online reactions to it.
Déjà vu: All-male panel and VIP dinner at Global Buddhist Summit, Delhi and Bhutanese Vajrayana Conference 2022
I have written about such all-male panels and patriarchal Buddhist events before, see for example Where Were the Women at the Global Buddhist Summit in Delhi in The Diplomat, April 2023, (and other articles see Sources below). This article must have had a huge impact with some powerful people, because after publication, The Diplomat editor ghosted me and never published or responded to anything I submitted/wrote again!
Also, at the 4th Vajrayana confererence in Bhutan 2022, entitled Modernity in Buddhism, at which I presented a paper, I queried the all-male opening day speaker line-up with one of the main organisers (Dasho Karma Ura) . Needless to say it went down like “a ton of bricks” and he never spoke to me again. So much for modernity and women’s voices in Buddhist dialogue and discussion!
The topic of my speech at the Bhutan conference was on the female, yogic lay roots of Vajrayana and how they have been suppressed and made invisible by mass monasticism in Tibet and Bhutan. That speech was subsequently “censored” not published by the same Bhutanese monastic body, and an anonymous person (now revealed to be an American woman, Amalia Rubin, whom I never met or spoke to before) went online to obsessively slander me and spread misinformation and gossip not only about the speech I have but the manner I gave it in, including music etc. Here is the re-recorded speech with slides, so that you can judge for yourselves. Going back to the Yogic and Female Roots of Vajrayāna (Bhutan talk 2022).
Dodgy attitudes and histories towards women and even among themselves
In addition, even though some of the male teachers are no doubt highly realized masters, there are some men included whose histories and attitudes towards women (including their daughters and ex wives etc.) leave a lot to be desired, and who might even be positively abusive, corrupt and misogynist to boot. Naming no names here, see the History and Politics section for articles. Some have also broken ties and lineage connections with each other.
For example, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and his student (Orgyen Tobgyel) both supported the idea that 12th Tai Situpa had fraudulently created the 17th Karmapa’s birth prediction letter. Wonder if they would say that to Tai Situpa’s face when they meet him in Bhutan? Past is past, but only if they are not still bearing such ill-will and false accusations.
Then there is 2nd Kalu Rinpoche (sacked from his monastery for alleged financial corruption) and who since 2017 not only promotes himself as the head of Shangpa Kagyu (not possible) but also broke off all public ties and shows of devotion to HH 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje and the two Karma Kagyu masters, HE 12th Tai Situpa and 12th Gyaltsab Rinpoche who bestowed the entire Shangpa Kagyu lineage to him in 2008! Those teachers also never gave him permission to teach Niguma Yoga as publicly as he is to anyone who signs up. There are also question marks over his conduct and attitude towards women, evidenced by his first ex wife, and her daughter’s private testimonies to others. I have sympathy for Kalu Rinpoche as a survivor of sexual abuse and rape, but that does not then give someone a green light to do whatever they want to women or the teachings.
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s attendance for the nuns’ full ordination ceremony by Je Khenpo
Some people immediately responded that as Jetsunma was attending and there would be a full ordination ceremony for nuns, this somehow “addressed” the huge sexist, gender imbalance in the all-male special guest list. However, that event is separate from the Prayer Festival and so does not count. Also, as I have written before in Where are the Gelongmas?, the way the full ordination of nuns is being publicly presented gives the impression that men are yet again giving something to women, that in actuality women should have had all along, but was taken from them by male patriarchal monasticism.
In fact, as the 17th Karmapa recently taught in relation to full ordination of nuns in Tibet, ideally it should be both a nun and monk giving gull ordination to nuns. However, as Jetsunma explained to me when I queried this with she said, it was still being given by monks because some insist that it has to be the same Vinaya tradition, which is one where nuns have not had full ordination for twelve years at least. So until that time, then monks have to do it.
Female tokenism? No need and not the Buddha’s way
Someone even commented that surely I was not encouraging female token women to be included because that is patronising. Indeed, we do not need female token women either (who are not qualified or worthy of inclusion in terms of merit, wisdom and activities). Tere are plenty of examples of women in the 21st Century who are playing influential and leading roles as Buddhist teachers, scholars, translators and so on, and some are doing a “far better job of it” than prominent men. And if women had been invited, but did not accept the invites, that could at least have been mentioned in the promotional literature [1].
No 14th Dalai Lama for obvious reasons but why no 17th Karmapa?
Some even were asking why the 14th Dalai Lama was not invited, seemingly ignorant or oblivious to the not so distant history of the founding of Bhutan itself (see my article here) , caused by the Gelugpa sectarian-Mongol military alliance that caused mass destruction, theft and suppression of Drugpa Kagyu and Nyingma in Tibet and also in Ladakh (see here).
Even though two senior Karma Kagyu masters were confirmed guests, no- one asked why the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje had not been invited, after all one of his main teachers/heart-sons in the Karma Kagyu, 12th Tai Situpa is one of those male guests. After all, the 16th Karmapa had a very strong connection with Bhutan when he left Tibet, and they issued him a Bhutanese passport and a significant amount of land there too (see here).
Could this be because the Bhutanese, especially the royals, have generally supported the unofficial claimant, Thaye Dorje for several years until recently? Thus undermining the only 17th Karmapa recognized by the vast majority of Tibetans in Tibet, China, India and Nepal, Ogyen Trinley Dorje? After all people may not know but the 14th Zhamarpa and those associated with him,who pushed for Thaye Dorje to be recognized openly called Tai Situpa a lying fraudster who had falsely created the 16th Karmapa’s re-birth prediction letter, was married to a Bhutanese princess.
Women as two of the Four Pillars of the Buddha’s sangha
Which leads the final point, that the Buddha Shakyamuni himself in his omniscient wisdom and compassion, created a male and female community of equality: laywomen, laymen, nuns and monks. The Buddha also had several prominent female Arhat students, who are not taught or spoken about as much as his male students.
So if the Buddha himself thought it important to include men and women equally, what gives the all-male Bhutanese monastic body, or any Buddhist institution the spiritual authority to exclude women’s presence and visibility at a global Buddhist events?
Conclusion: Invisible, voiceless, irrelevant women for “global peace”
In conclusion then, what is the clear symbolic message given by the organisers of this Buddhist event? Women are invisible, voiceless and irrelevant to be included or seen as VIP/special guests. Either it was an oversight based on taking it as normal that women are not prominent or visible, or it was deliberate. Either way it is a big red flag that the continuing male patriarchal dominance of Buddhism continues and the men themselves show no signs of stopping (or recognising) it. In the same way as “peace begins on our plate” by not murdering and eating defenceless animals, how could “global peace” ever be achieved without the visible presence/voices of women? Yet, people wonder why there is so much conflict not only in the world but within so-called “Buddhist” cultures too. The answer is staring everyone right in the face, if they are willing to see it.
Written and edited by Adele Tomlin, 12th October 2025.
Endnotes
[1] Female members of the Bhutanese royal family do not count either, because their position is based on inherited privilege, wealth and family connections, not on spiritual realisations per se. In addition, Buddha himself was against all nepotism and systems of inherited wealth, privilege and titles based on worldly reasons. Although he taught Kings and Queens, he certainly banned all such distinctions in his Buddhist community. As can be seen from the example of one of Buddha’s most famous students, see 17th Karmapa’s recent teachings on the life-story of Mahakassapa, who came from one of the richest aristocratic families in India at that time. He was treated the same way as lower caste monks.
Sources
Where Were the Women at the Global Buddhist Summit in Delhi in The Diplomat, April 2023
Going back to the Yogic and Female Roots of Vajrayāna (Bhutan talk 2022) Youtube video
I’m not even a feminist, however, even I thinks it’s BS. It’s such obvious gender preference. For all the folks who say the Dharma is gender less, I say that’s spiritual bypassing.
Yes it is and thanks for sharing your view here. It is a deeply-ingrained biological sexist bias, not about gender only I would say. Why do you say you are not a feminist though? Without feminists women globally would not have basic rights such as the vote, right to education, to work, to divorce, to birth control, to rights of movement and ownership of property and bank accounts. These basic rights were demanded (and had to be fought for) by feminists. In some countries, women still do not have these basic rights.
That’s a fair question! I guess I tend to want to avoid “labels”, and I’d like to think I care about inequality wherever it rears its ugly head. I truly believe that both genders have a valuable perspective to offer and are complementary. Post 1990s feminism has become rather extreme for my taste, too. Too much ‘Sex in the City’ and other ideas I don’t resonate with. With that being said, 1970s and 80s feminism was more on point ideologically, in my opinion. I digress. I’ve noticed over some years that as a woman, people don’t really listen to much of what I or other women say. Our perspective is often overlooked. But when men speak they are definitely listened to. I’m certain it’s evolutionary, but it’s also sad and frustrating. I and others like yourself have been labeled a “bitch” with a strong personality and ostracized for our ability to provocatively communicate. I’ve learned to be pointed and provocative because I’m tired of being blown off, especially as a health care provider trying to look out for someone’s health. It’s a great opportunity to practice, though! 😆
Thank you for your reporting on the issues of misogyny in the Buddhist hierarchy. Fortunately for truth seekers in all religious traditions we are in a time on this planet when women can not be ignored and they have a modicum of power in their speech and writings. Buddhism in America has thrived off of the labor of women working quietly but with purpose in many of the Buddhist organizations that have taken hold in America and Europe. Women have been instrumental in pointing out the hypocrisy, chauvinism, and sexual misconduct of many Buddhist teachers worldwide as well and this benefits all Dharma practitioners. The study of any spiritual tradition has to rest on the foundations of the Truth. Blindly following teachers and teachings that do not align with truth, wisdom, love, joy, peace, and compassion will never serve us or any other living being on our planet. It takes courage to point out the lack of truth when it comes to spiritual teachers especially on the esoteric paths leading to the light. So many people are desperate for guidance in these degenerate times and we want to trust in someone and some tradition that we believe will lead us out of darkness and despair. Tibetan Buddhist teachers these days seem more interested in maintaining the status quo of their family dynasties, status, wealth, hierarchy, and power and cloak this fact in the words of prior teachers to distract from the truth of the decay that Guru Rinpoche predicted would destroy their culture. Patrul Rinpoche also spoke to this decay. The Patriarchy destroyed Christianity when it destroyed the female lineages of the early Christian movement by claiming Jesus to be a eunuch, his mother a virgin, and his wives to be whores. The truth seeker may have a gender but the truth itself is a unity field of awareness. Thank you for holding the torch of this truth high enough for others to see the obstacles on the path so that we can avoid the pitfalls. Also without this kind of feedback there will never be any change at the top levels of the hierarchy of Buddhist teachers of all traditions.
Thank you Nickie for your words and support and encouragement. Women need to support women more. One of the things that is particularly sad is how often women in particular have been socially conditioned to compete with other women and thus are used by the religious patriarchs to denigrate, attack and bully any women who dare to speak out with truth and intelligence. Some women look like they are speaking out too but they still support institutions like the 14th Dalai Lama and Gelugpa sectarianism and enable abusive male lamas if and when it suits them to ignore it due to vested interests and not wanting to face the truth.
If you read some of my other writings here, you will see the kind of bullying, harassment, slander, misogyny, sexism, ageism and blatant discrimination I have faced often by women acting on behalf of male teachers and systems who encourage them to attack women who dare to question the lies and hypocrisy and sexism.
When I was building the La Khang in southern Brasil for Chagdud Rimpoche I asked him many such questions about the patriarchal nature of Tibetan culture in the late 20th and early 21st century.
His view was that as refugees in this Eara of digeneration, the tibetans had hung on to many habits because their collective losses overwhelmed the understanding of the teachings of Buddha Shakimuni.
Most online Dharma is corrupted at best.
I subscribe here because most internet is AI generated ( up to 75%) and or dominated by Bot traffic ( +/- 60%).
… I saw a quote from Jimmy Hendrix .
” when the power of love dominates the love of power… there will be peace”
Keep searching .. its still quite a while before Maitraia incarnates….
Great article and many thanks. pls. be aware of spelling mistakes and numbers. it was the 17th Karmapa and not the 18th, who .. Greetings!
Thank you someone else also spotted that 18th typo and have amended it. Please do let me know if you see anything else like that. I am both the author and editor/proofreader ha ha
Even educated modern individuals may not necessarily be familiar with Buddhism in general, and monastic discipline (Vinaya) in particular. This is evident from the way women in Buddhist society demand ‘equal seats’ with men, viewing the Vinaya’s structure as male-dominated. Such a perspective indicates a lack of understanding of the true purpose of monastic discipline. The current Vinaya structure was established to align with society two thousand years ago. Historical records show that at that time, most monastics were men, which differs from the present situation. If the kind and grateful Buddha were to appear in this era, many aspects of the Vinaya’s structure would surely be different from before. However, due to our lesser merit, the kind and grateful Buddha is not present now.
One might wonder if the monastic rules should be reformed to suit the current times. If it were possible, I too believe it would be necessary. However, the question of ‘who can reform it?’ remains unanswered. If just anyone were to make reforms, everything would eventually become modified, leaving no standard to uphold. Moreover, even if reforms were made to the Vinaya structure in a specific place, if everyone collectively did not accept it based on scripture, reasoning, and instructions, then it would not become a well-functioning monastic system according to the Vinaya tradition.
Therefore, engaging in political-style activities solely for the sake of this life, causing constant trouble everywhere, is not beneficial for Buddhists in general, nor for female followers of the Buddha. It will only lead to harm in both this life and the next. Speaking for myself, while I strongly uphold the view that there should be equality in all things, religious or not, I also recognize that in certain situations, not everything is equal in practice. Therefore, considering the broader picture, discussions that cause disagreement and stir up internal conflict should be avoided. This is a primary principle of the kind and grateful Buddha’s Vinaya, and there is no distinction between men and women in upholding this rule that should be avoided.
Looking at your entire discourse, there are no words that even hint at religious principles; instead, there seem to be only in the practice of the eight worldly dharmas. Therefore, I believe it would be more beneficial if those who truly practice for the sake of the Dharma from their hearts would discuss these matters after properly studying the Dharma, engaging in conversations that do not harm anyone, neither individuals nor the general public.
The Shakyamuni Buddja created four pillars of the Buddhist sangha. Lay women and nuns. And Monks and laymen. The monastics have the Vinaya rules. Laypeople have the five main Buddhist precepts. There are different Vinaya traditions so you need to be clearer about which one you are referring to.
Some of the men in those photos are not monks anyway and are laypeople with wives and children like Schechen Rabjam Rinpoche and Kalu Rinpoche. So why not also have laywomen as special guests too?
What you say about there being more monks than nuns is irrelevant here. In any case Buddha also had ten Arhat female students like the men.
To justify the absence of women’s faces and voices at a so called global peace prayer Festival is glib and spiritual bypassing to say the least. To use the Vinaya rules to justify that absence is a misuse of Buddhist teachings too.
This is the 21st Century now and patriarchal religious structures and customs are rightly becoming more and more irrelevant to women and men. With good reasons. Don’t try and obfuscate the issue of global peace by resorting to some sophisticated kind of reference back to original Buddhist Vinaya rules.
There are many aspects of original Buddism that are not practised in Bhutan and Tibet too such as not eating deliberately murdered animals. Or not supporting the deliberate butchery of animals. Why not refer to how Vinaya should not be modified for contemporary society lust for dead animal flesh. Who has the right to modify that aspect of Vinaya?
Your debate here is shallow. And ignores the fundamental flaws with not having women’s faces and voices clearly visible at a Global Peace Prayer event.
The fact that you expect women and men to accept such a faulty and double standards argument about Vinaya shows that you simply cannot see the error and fault with it either.
As for your accusation that I speak only about eight worldly Dharmas, you do not back that up with any specific example of that. So it’s just an ad hominem empty assertion.
No need to respond. I won’t publish because it will only waste your and my time. This website is not a platform for patriarchal misogynists to justify sexism with faulty logic and double standards.