Buddhist leader Gyalwang Drukpa recognized by US congress for empowering women

The 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, received a US Congressional resolution during his birthday celebrations on Sunday (Mar 05, 2017) “for empowering women in the Himalayas and supporting green initiatives,” Yahoo! News reports.

The resolution recognizes Gyalwang Drukpa as a “world-renowned humanitarian, environmentalist and champion of gender equality,” and also celebrates his work towards providing relief services to people in the Himalayas after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. It notes the importance of his environmental activism, and of his work towards “empowering, educating, protecting and inspiring” women in the Himalayas and throughout the world.

Gyalwang Drukpa founded the Druk Amitabha Mountain nunnery in Kathmandu, where over 300 nuns are receiving a modern education, and training in Chinese martial arts, both of which have historically been reserved for men.

The resolution was presented to Gyalwang Drukpa by Carolyn Maloney, the US Congresswoman for New York’s 12th Congressional district. He later took to Twitter to thank Maloney for the honor:

Gyalwang Drukpa @Drukpa

I have no words to say except "Thank You" for the honour from US Congress, esp. Rep. @CarolynBMaloney for the unexpected felicitation.

BY LILLY GREENBLATT- Lion's Roar