New Delhi, July 25 -- "This is a precious human life. And we should do what we can."

Geshema Dawa Dolma, 43, recalls these words from the Dalai Lama during our phone interview. "Internal work," she adds, "is more important than external work. Nuns should work hard." Dawa Dolma teaches Tibetan language and Buddhist philosophy at Thosamling Nunnery, Institute, and Retreat Centre in Sidhpur, near Dharamsala, the seat of the 14th Dalai Lama for over six decades.

Venerable Chhering Norjom, 47, who goes by Norjom and works as a nurse at the nearby Dolma Ling Nunnery and Institute of Buddhist Dialectics, echoes another of the Dalai Lama's exhortations with animation during our phone interview: "Hum Buddhist hain karke baithe mat raho. Philosop...