Obituary.Ven.Bhikkhuni Voramai Kabilsingh passes away. Thailand's first bhikkhuni devoted her life to dhamma. Thailand's first bhikkhuni, Ven Voramai Kabilsingh, passed away on June 24, 2003. Ven.Voramai Kabilsingh 95, was the first Thai woman to receive full ordination ordination: see ministry; orders, holy. from Taiwan in 1959, thus paving the way for women to participate fully in Buddhism. Under the present law, Only men can enter the monkhood monk·hood n. 1. The character, condition, or profession of a monk; monasticism. 2. Monks considered as a group. , a sacred status for Buddhists who wish to follow the path to enlightenment. Women who wish to develop their spirituality are only allowed to become mae chi (nuns), which is not considered a serious platform for dhamma study. Ven.Voramai assumed the ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. name of Ven.Ta Tao Fa Tsu after ordination, but she was known among her followers followers see dairy herd. as Luang Ya (the Ven.Grandmother) Always one to champion women's independence, gender equality and compassion among human kind. Ven.Voramai worked as a teacher and ran her own printing business. As a young woman, she rode her bicycle from Bangkok all the way to Singapore. Luang Ya sponsored the construction of Wat Songdhammakalyani in Nakhonpathom Province which she used as a centre for children and women. Her orphanage ORPHANAGE, Eng. law. By the custom of London, when a freeman of that city dies, his estate is divided into three parts, as follows: one third part to the widow; another, to the children advanced by him in his lifetime, which is called the orphanage; and the other third part may be by him , educational and social welfare projects had particularly benefited the poor and pregnant women in need. Ven.Voramai's heritage is being carried on by her only daughter, Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, who followed in her footsteps and received full ordination as bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (srē läng`kə) [Sinhalese,=resplendent land], formerly Ceylon, ancient Taprobane, officially Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, island republic (2005 est. pop. . Chatsumarn received the ordained name of Dhammananda. Ven.Dhammananda was on the plane coming in from France when her mother left her physical body. "The community did all the necessary preparation in my absence. She looked peaceful and actually beautiful. Ek, my eldest ELDEST. He or she who has the greatest age. 2. The laws of primogeniture are not in force in the United States; the eldest child of a family cannot, therefore, claim any right in consequence of being the eldest. son did well on my behalf to help make decision to take be back and not to have her to go through all the painful medical assistance. He was constantly in touch with the doctor until the end." Said Ven.Dhammananda. "Two senior monks, one in his 70s and the other in his 50s were present, taking charge of the ritual part. I am deeply grateful to them." She said. The spiritual connection between the two bhikkhunis was strong, "The night previous to June 24 (the day Ven.Voramai passed away) she was kind enough to let me know of her presence, a heavy breathing on my left ear, so that I woke up. The connection of the spirit is amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. . She did not have to know Paris, she went directly to me, to communicate. This is the power of a trained mind," she said. The chanting ceremony for Ven.Voramai is being held at Songdhammakalyani Temple in Nakhonpathom at 7 PM every evening until her cremation cremation, disposal of a corpse by fire. It is an ancient and widespread practice, second only to burial. It has been found among the chiefdoms of the Pacific Northwest, among Northern Athapascan bands in Alaska, and among Canadian cultural groups. on Oct.5. Before becoming a bhikkhuni, Mrs.Voramai .was married to Kokiat Shatsena. member of parliament, belonging to Democrat party Democrat Party can refer to three political parties:
OBJECTIVES YASODHARA intends to give information on Buddhist women's activities and studies on them from various countries around the world. YASODHARA is also interested in helping bhikkhuni Sangha sangha: see Buddhism. sangha Buddhist monastic order, traditionally composed of four groups: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen. Established by the Buddha, it is the world's oldest body of celibate clerics. in as many countries as possible. HONORARY ADVISORS Ven. Bhikkhuni Hiu Wan (Taiwan) EDITORIAL BOARD Ven. Dr. Chatsumam Kabilsingh (Thailand) Mr. Martin Perenchio (U.S.A./Thailand) Mrs. Pimphun Hansakul (Thailand) Dr. Wilasinee Piphitkul (Thailand) ARTWORK: Araya Thavorn YASODHARA'S ADDRESS Ven. Chatsumarn Kabilsingh P.O.Box 108 Nakhonpathom 73000 Thailand e-mail chatsumarn@hotmail.com www.Thaibhikkhunis.org SUBSCRIPTION You will receive four issues annually by air-mail. We would be grateful if our reader could help with printing and mailing cost at the following rate : US$ 12 a year. Kindly send your subscription to : Ven.Chatsumarn Kabilsingh Cash by registered mail will be fine |
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