Varanggana Vanavichayen

Varanggana Vanavichayen is the first female monk ordained in Thailand.[1][2]

Life

Vanavichayen worked as a translator, and then as a secretary. She was married and had two children, but divorced her husband in order to maintain a vow of celibacy. She became a nun for nine years, prior to becoming a monk.[3]

Ordination

In 2002, at 55, Vanavichayen became the first female monk ordained in Thailand. She was ordained by a female Sri Lankan monk, and in the presence of a male Thai monk, as in accordance with Thai interpretation of Theravada scripture.[1] The scriptures require that both a male and female monk be present in order for a woman to be ordained a monk. Seven female monks were in attendance as well. Vanavichayen was ordained in Songdhammakalyani Monastery, headed by Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (born Chatsumarn Kabilsingh), a female monk who created controversy when she was ordained as a monk in Sri Lanka and returned to Thailand. Her temple and ordination are not recognized by the Thai government. Upon Vanavichayen's ordination, she was quoted as saying, "I know that there might be resistance. But I am prepared, knowing that I am doing the right thing."[3]

Controversy

The Thai government's Deputy Chief of the Religious Affairs Department said that Vanavichayen would not be recognized as a monk.[1] This created a problem, as the Thai constitution prohibits gender discrimination, but anyone that dresses as a monk that is not a monk faces a two-month jail sentence.[3]

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References
  1. "Nation's First Female Buddhist Monk Ordained". LA Times. LA Times. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  2. Turner, Darrell. "Religion: Year In Review 2002". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  3. Sivasomboon, Busaba. "First female monk ordained in Thailand, challenging country's all-male Buddhist clergy". The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. AP. Retrieved 3 November 2016.

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