Songs and Lives of the Jomo: Nuns of Kinnaur Northwest India. Women's Religious Expression in Tibetan Buddhism

Book Details:

• Author: Linda LaMacchia

• Publisher: Sri Satguru Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2008

• ISBN: 9788170309017

• Pages: 364 (28 B/W Illustrations)

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm

• Weight: 624 gm

About the Book:
This groundbreaking work by Linda LaMacchia offers a fascinating study of Kinnauri jomos, celibate Buddhist nuns living in the Himalayan region of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The book takes readers on a journey through the lives of these women, offering a window into their spiritual and cultural practices through their songs and self-narrated life stories.

The hardcover edition of this book presents an in-depth exploration, built on interviews and recordings of 50 jomos over a 15-month period. It includes the texts of 23 songs and 7 life stories, showcasing the unique combination of Kinnauri and Tibetan song genres. Through these personal stories, the book reveals the dual aspects of their lives — devotion to Buddhism and their connection to their local customs, village gods, and nature.

LaMacchia’s exploration highlights how Buddhism has assimilated into the region’s cultural fabric and how these women, as religious practitioners, are central to this process. Through their devotion and daily practices, these nuns maintain and spread Buddhism, while at the same time embodying and integrating local traditions, beliefs, and regional stories.

This well-researched and insightful book offers an essential perspective on the role of women in the spread of Buddhism and the way the religion interacts with local customs.