Caption: Geshe Kelsang Wangmo, Credit: Peter Aronson
Image by: Peter Aronson 
Geshe Kelsang Wangmo 

First woman attains Tibetan "geshe" degree

From: The Tibet Connection
Series: Open Mind
Length: 10:06

A big milestone for women in Tibetan Buddhism, as a nun is recognized with a prestigious Buddhist academic title for the first time ever. TWO VERSIONS, standard (6:45) and extended (10:06). Read the full description.

Geshe-kelsang-wangmo_small

In Tibetan Buddhism, a geshe (GEH-shay) degree is roughly equivalent to a PhD in philosophy, awarded after years of study and rigorous exams. Geshes are usually held in high esteem as teachers for their vast knowledge. In the centuries-long tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, no woman has ever earned the prestigious title……until now. This year, the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, a college of Buddhist philosophical studies in Dharamsala (DAH-rum-SAH-la), India, bestowed the title of Geshe on Venerable Kelsang Wangmo, a Buddhist nun from Germany, making her the first woman ever to become a Geshe. This month in our Open Mind series, this humble and soft-spoken nun talks with producer Peter Aronson in Dharamsala.

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Piece Description

In Tibetan Buddhism, a geshe (GEH-shay) degree is roughly equivalent to a PhD in philosophy, awarded after years of study and rigorous exams. Geshes are usually held in high esteem as teachers for their vast knowledge. In the centuries-long tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, no woman has ever earned the prestigious title……until now. This year, the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, a college of Buddhist philosophical studies in Dharamsala (DAH-rum-SAH-la), India, bestowed the title of Geshe on Venerable Kelsang Wangmo, a Buddhist nun from Germany, making her the first woman ever to become a Geshe. This month in our Open Mind series, this humble and soft-spoken nun talks with producer Peter Aronson in Dharamsala.

Broadcast History

Broadcast on The Tibet Connection, August 2011

Intro and Outro

INTRO:

In Tibetan Buddhism, a geshe (GEH-shay) degree is roughly equivalent to a PhD in philosophy, awarded after years of study and rigorous exams. Geshes are usually held in high esteem as teachers for their vast knowledge. In the centuries-long tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, no woman has ever earned the prestigious title……until now. This year, the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, a college of Buddhist philosophical studies in Dharamsala (dah-rum-SA-la), India, bestowed the title of Geshe on Venerable Kelsang Wangmo, a Buddhist nun from Germany, making her the first woman ever to become a Geshe. This humble and soft-spoken nun talks with producer Peter Aronson in Dharamsala.

OUTRO:

That was Geshe (GEH-shay) Kelsang Wangmo, a Buddhist nun from Germany and the first woman ever to earn the title of Geshe, or doctor of Buddhist philosophical studies. This interview was produced for the radio program The Tibet Connection. You can find links to recordings of her teachings and supplemental handouts, all in English, on our website. [SEE THE RELATED WEBSITE LINK]

Related Website

http://ibd-buddhist.blogspot.com/