''Thero'' (commonly appearing in the masculine and feminine forms ''thera'' and ''therī'' respectively) is an honorific term in Pali for senior bhikkhus and bhikkhunis (Buddhist monks and nuns) in the Sangha (Buddhism), Buddhist monastic order. The word literally means "elder". These terms, appearing at the end of a monastic's dharma name, given name, are used to distinguish those who have at least 10 years since their ''upasampada'' (higher ordination). The name of an important collection of very early Buddhist poetry is called the ''Therigatha'', "verses of the ''therīs''". The terms ''mahāthera'' and ''mahātherī'' (the prefix ''mahā'' meaning 'great' in both Sanskrit and Pali) are used to refer to very distinguished elderly and venerable monks and nuns considered to have reached a higher level of spiritual development. Usage of these terms varies according to the Schools of Buddhism, Buddhist tradition and culture. In Sri Lanka, these terms are widely used. Some prominent theras and therīs: * Ananda Thera * Rerukane Chandawimala Thero, Rerukane Chandawimala Maha Thera * Katukurunde Nyanananda Thera * Narada Mahathera * Nyanatiloka Mahathera * Ananda Maitreya * Mahapajapati Gotami therī * Kiribathgoda Gnanananda Thero * Ayya Tathaaloka Mahātherī * Gangodawila Soma Thero * Nyanaponika Thera * Nanavira Thera

See also