Maechi

Maechi[1] or Mae chee[2] (Thai: แม่ชี; IPA: [mɛ̂ː.t͡ɕʰiː]), "respected mother" (แม่ + honorific suffix "-ji"),[3] are Theravada Buddhist Nuns in Thailand.

Like the thilashin of neighbouring Myanmar and the dasa sil mata of Sri Lanka, maechi occupy a position somewhere between that of an eight-precept Upasikā and a Buddhist Monk.

The full ordination is not legal for women in some countries including Thailand since the original lineage of the historical Bhikkhuni Sangha dating back to Gautama Buddha died out between the 11th and 14th Century in Sri Lanka.

In 1928 a law was created by the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand in line with attempts to preserve the distribution period (Sāsana) of the traditional early Buddhist Teachings.

They sometimes share responsibilities with resident bhikkhus in supporting the temple, and often take on roles helping the monks in certain areas where the latter are more restricted by the Vinaya.

While the officially recognized male monastic communities has traditionally received considerable oversight and assistance from various government ministries, only in the 20th century did the Thai Sangha begin to take an organized role in providing for the needs of maechis specifically.

They do not have the same legal recognition as bhikkhus by the Thai government and are not eligible for all monastic benefits (such as free passage on public transportation), but they are like monks, omitted from voting or standing for civil elections.

Despite the absence of a full bhikkhuni ordination in Thailand, a number of other groups of female renunciants emerged in Thai society during the 20th Century.

The buddhasavikas are a very small organization of women who have received ordination from Taiwanese Buddhist lineages such as Fo Guang Shan.

They lived a communal life, kept a strict vegetarian diet, and attempted to be self-supporting through organic farming and daily manual labor.

The most recent case brought to the Supreme Court of Thailand is that of Phothirak, a former monk who has been ejected from the Thai sangha after being convicted of breaching the Vinaya repeatedly.

Phothirak then created his own sect, Santi Asoke, and ordained about 80 bhikkhunis in 1998, leading to his imprisonment for 66 months on several successive counts of "causing schism amongst the sangha".

Maechi Sansanee Sthirasuta's legacy continues to inspire and influence countless individuals and even found personal recognition by the Dalai Lama.

Maechi Siriporn has established numerous educational and social welfare programs, including schools, orphanages, and vocational training centers.

Maechi Somchai's work has helped to preserve traditional Thai medical knowledge and promote natural healing practices.