Buddhist nuns practise kung fu at the Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery near Kathmandu. The sisters come from across Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan to learn the ancient Chinese discipline of kung fu, which they believe will help them be better Buddhists

Buddhist nuns practise kung fu at the Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery near Kathmandu. Every day, they exchange their maroon robes and philosophical studies for a intense 90-minute session of hand chops, punches, shrieks and soaring high kicks. (AFP Photo/Prakash Mathema)

A Buddhist nun practises kung fu at the Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery near Kathmandu. "The main reason for practising kung fu is for fitness and for health, but it also helps with meditation and self-defence," said one of the nuns

The Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, houses the world's first order of kung fu nuns. Duration: 00:44 (AFP Photo/)

A Buddhist nun practises kung fu at the Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery near Kathmandu. The nunnery is enjoying a surge in popularity since introducing the kung fu lessons and now has some 300 nuns practising martial arts techniques. (AFP Photo/Prakash Mathema)

Buddhist nun practised kung fu at the Amitabha Drukpa Nunnery near Kathmandu. The sisters come from across Nepal, India, Tibet and Bhutan to learn the ancient Chinese discipline of kung fu, which they believe will help them be better Buddhists.