Varangghana Vanavichayen (born in 1946) is the first woman to be ordained a Theravada bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun) in Thailand. She was ordained a novice bhikkhuni on 10 February 2002 in Songdhammakalyani Monastery.[1] The ceremony was attended by eight female monks from Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. It was conducted in Sri Lankan tradition.[2] Upon the ordination she adopted the name of Dhammarakhita Samaneri. The Abbess of the nunnery was Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (Professor Chatsumarn Kabilasinga), who is also the first Theravada bhikkhuni in Thailand.[3]
Dhammarakhita graduated with a business degree in Australia. As a lay person she worked as a secretary and translator. Before her ordination in 2002 Dhammarakhita had been a mae chii for nine years.[1] Her ordination was surrounded by controversy and heated discussion in Thai media and politics due to the conservative views surrounding female ordination present in the country.[4] The discussion was, however, less fierce than a year earlier when Dhammananda Bhikkhuni was ordained in Sri Lanka. In 2002 many newspapers supported the decision.[1] Dhammarakhita defended her choice saying: "I know that there might be resistance. But I am prepared, knowing that I am doing the right thing."[5] As of 2003, the ordination has not been yet recognised by the Thai Buddhist religious authorities.[6][needs update]
Private life
editDhammarakhita has two children. She divorced her husband while being a mae chii in order to fulfil a vow of celibacy, which is required from monks and nuns.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Burghoorn, Wil; Iwanaga, Kazuki; Milwertz, Cecilia; Wang, Qi, eds. (2008). Gender Politics in Asia. Copenhagen: Nias Press. p. 111.
- ^ a b Lindberg Falk, Monica (2007). Making Fields of Merit: Buddhist Female Ascetics and Gendered Orders in Thailand. Copenhagen: Nias Press. p. 242.
- ^ "History of the Temple". www.thaibhikkhunis.org. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
- ^ "A Rare Breed of Monks - SEAPA – Southeast Asian Press Alliance". www.seapa.org. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
- ^ "BBC News | ASIA-PACIFIC | First female monk ordained in Thailand". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
- ^ Machacek, David W.; Wilcox, Melissa M. (2003). Sexuality and the World's Religions. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. p. 171. ISBN 978-1576073599.