Kathmandu, Nov. 14 -- "My name is Jigme Konchok Lhamo, and I am a Kung Fu nun."

During summer nights, on grounds illuminated by solar-powered lights, Lhamo and her sisters practice kung fu at the Druk Amitabha Nunnery near Kathmandu, wielding swords, sticks and paper fans.

The forested hills surrounding the nunnery echo with shouts as they kick, punch and lunge. The kung fu nuns work and live at the nunnery, better known asSeto Gumba, and belong to the centuries-old Drukpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

On this morning, Lhamo and Jigme Migyur Palmo sit side by side, clad in maroon robes and red hats, as they speak toNepali Timesover Zoom. The nunnery remains shut off to visitors because of Covid-19 risks to the nuns who live and work at ...