In celebration: honoring Outstanding Women in Buddhism.

To celebrate International Women's Day on March 7, this year's Outstanding Women in Buddhism were honoured at the United Nations building. The honours this year go to 18 women who have won wide respect for their commitment in the fields of peace making, social work, meditation and academic execellence from Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Bhutan, Cambodia, the UK, the US and Australia.

They are:

HRH Princess Dechan Wanghchuk of Bhutan, admired for her kindness. The princess donated generously to the needy, to re renovation of temples to religious education in Bhutan.

Bhikkhuni Dhammarakkhitta, Thailand. She is the first bhikkhuni ordained in Thailand and respected for her commitment to raise the status of Thai women in Buddhism.

Bhikkhuni Supeshala, Sri Lanka. Committed to the plight of poor women and children. She worked tirelessly helping survivors of the tsunami.

Bhikkhuni Sudhamma, US. The first US born woman to receive bhikkhuni ordination in Sri Lanka. She now runs the Carolina Buddhist Vihara in the US.

Bhikkhuni Thathaaloka, US. She founded Dhammadharini Vihara and Support foundation in San Francisco to provide women with greater opportunities for Buddhist meditation, etc.

Dr Emma Tomalin, UK. She is a lecturer in religious studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Leeds.

Dr.Amara Malila, Thailand. A physician by training. She has devoted her life to counseling and caring for the chronically and terminally ill. She has written around 60 dhamma books.

Bhikkhuni Hui Kun Shih, Taiwan. Devoted to the spiritual needs of the dying and the terminally ill, she has been training Buddhist bhikkhus and bhikkhunis in hospice care and created the first clinical Buddhist chaplaincy.

Ms.Ouyporn Khuankaew, Thailand. She is a respected specialist in gender and development who has incorporated Buddhist philosophies of non-violence in her work.

Samaneri Dhammamitta, Thailand. The first female novice from the north-east. She builds her own temple and supports the ordination of other female novices.

Maeji Sarocha Chaiyakate, Thailand. Apart from being active in social work, assisting needy women and children she also teaches dhamma to the public.

Bhikkhuni Gunasari, Myanmar. Setting an example for other women in her country. She is one of the two Burmese women to be ordained as bhikkhuni.

Maeji Rachada Amatayakul, Thailand. She built the Lomphrachotong Temple as a learning centre for Abhikdhamma and built vipassana meditation in Lamphun province.

Sandy Boucher, US. A prolific writer and an advocate for women's participation in Buddhism. Her books include Discovering Kwan Yin: Buddhist Goddess of Compassion, Turning the Wheel, A Buddhist Woman controts Cancer, etc.

Jill Jameson, Australia. A peace activist, Jameson draws on Buddhist principles and practices in her training programmes on international conflict transformation, peace building, ecology and empowerment.

Dr Sutheera Vichitranonda, Thailand. She is currently president of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women which promotes women's participation in policy formation as well as supporting education for Buddhist nuns to enhance their roles in society.

HRH Princess Norodom Moniren, Cambodia. The princess is the wife of HRH Prince Norodom Chakrapong. She has been active in opening business and international channels to help people in her war-ravaged country.

Last but not the least, Ruth Denison, US. Trained in the Burmese tradition of Theravada Buddhism. She is highly respected Vipassana teacher. She is among the first generation of women teachers of vipassana meditation in the US and is the first teacher to lead an all-women's retreat.