A (, ,(, ), "possessor of morality", from

Pali Pāli (, IAST: pāl̤i) is a Classical languages of India, classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle Indo-Aryan language of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pali Canon, Pāli Can ...

sīla Buddhist ethics are traditionally based on the enlightened perspective of the Buddha. In Buddhism, ethics or morality are understood by the term ''śīla'' () or ''sīla'' (Pāli). ''Śīla'' is one of three sections of the Noble Eightfold Path ...

'') is a female renunciant in Burmese Buddhism; a Burmese Theravada Buddhist nun. They are not fully ordained nuns ('' bhikkhuni''), as the full ordination is not legal for women in Burma, but are closer to ''sāmaṇerīs'', 'novice nuns'. According to 2016 statistics published by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, there were 4,106 nunneries and 60,390 in Myanmar (Burma), over a quarter of whom live in

Yangon Region Yangon Region (, ; formerly Rangoon Division and Yangon Division) is an administrative region of Myanmar. Located in central Myanmar, the region is bordered by Bago Region to the north and east, the Gulf of Martaban to the south, and Ayeyarwady ...

Precepts

Like the ''

maechi Maechi or Mae Chee (; ), "respected mother" (แม่ + honorific suffix "- ji"), are Theravada Buddhist Nuns in Thailand. As female monastics ordained under The Eight or Ten Precepts (i.e., more than the Five Precepts taken by laypersons), ...

'' of neighbouring

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

and the ''

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'' of

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

, occupy a position somewhere between that of an eight-precept lay follower and a fully ordained monastic. However, they are treated more favourably than , being able to receive training, practice meditation and sit for the same qualification examinations as the monks. observe the ten precepts and can be recognized by their pink robes, shaven head, orange or brown shawl and metal alms bowl. would also go out on alms round on ''

uposatha An Uposatha () day is a Buddhism, Buddhist day of observance, in existence since the Buddha's time (600 BCE), and still being kept today by Buddhist practitioners. The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for "the cleansing of the defiled mind, ...

'' days and receive uncooked rice or money. are addressed with the

honorifics An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an honorary academic title. It ...

(, , 'little teacher') and (, ). These are attached to the

Buddhist name A Dharma name is a new name acquired during both lay and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism (where it is more proper to call it Dhamma or Sangha name). The name is tradition ...

given. often reside in either separate quarters or in segregated ''

kyaung A ''kyaung'' (, ) is a monastery ( vihara), comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of Buddhist monks. Burmese ''kyaungs'' are sometimes also occupied by novice monks (samanera), lay attendants ('' kappiya''), nuns (''thilashin''), and wh ...

'' (temple-monasteries). They do not have to look after the monks, but may help cook if required. Although ranked lower than the monks, they are not subservient to them, but form their own communities.

Ordination

are not fully ordained members of the

Sangha Sangha or saṃgha () is a term meaning "association", "assembly", "company" or "community". In a political context, it was historically used to denote a governing assembly in a republic or a kingdom, and for a long time, it has been used b ...

. The full lineage of

Theravada Buddhism ''Theravāda'' (; 'School of the Elders'; ) is Buddhism's oldest existing school. The school's adherents, termed ''Theravādins'' ( anglicized from Pali ''theravādī''), have preserved their version of the Buddha's teaching or '' Dhamma'' in ...

died out, being preserved only in the Mahayana tradition, and for various technical and social reasons was therefore absent, leaving the lay practice of living as a the only option for women who wish to renounce in Burma. As a result, in many respects the lifestyle of resembles that of an ordained , even to the extent of making a daily alms-round. There have been efforts by some to reinstate the lineage, although there are serious reservations and legal obstacles from the government, monks and general populace. A new Theravada sangha was first convened in 1996, and since then many more have taken the full vows. However, in Myanmar, remain the only monastic option for women at this time and ordaining as a is an offence punishable by imprisonment.

References

External links

{{Buddhism topics Burmese Buddhist titles Ordination of women in Buddhism Buddhist religious occupations Buddhist monasticism

Precepts

Ordination

See also

References

External links