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[[File:YangonNuns.jpg|thumb|left|267px|Thilashin during alms round in [[Yangon]], [[Myanmar]] (Burma).]] | [[File:YangonNuns.jpg|thumb|left|267px|{{Transl|my|Thilashin}} during alms round in [[Yangon]], [[Myanmar]] (Burma).]] | ||
[[File:PyinOoLwin5.jpg|thumb|left|267px|Young | [[File:PyinOoLwin5.jpg|thumb|left|267px|Young {{Transl|my|thilashin}} before alms round in [[Pyin Oo Lwin]] train station (Myanmar).]] | ||
A | A {{Transl|my|thilashin}} ({{lang-my|သီလရှင်}}, {{IPA-my|θìla̰ʃɪ̀ɰ̃|pron}}, "possessor of morality", from [[Pali]] ''[[Śīla|sīla]]'') is a female [[Renunciation|renunciant]] in [[Buddhism in Myanmar|Burmese Buddhism]]; a Burmese Theravada Buddhist nun. They are not fully ordained nuns, as the full ordination is not legal for women in Burma (''[[bhikkhuni]]''), but are closer to [[Śrāmaṇerī|''sāmaṇerīs'']], 'novice nuns'. According to 2016 statistics published by the [[State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee]], there were 60,390 {{Transl|my|thilashin}} in Myanmar (Burma).<ref name="mahana1">{{Cite web|title=The Account of Wazo Monks and Nuns in 1377 (2016 year) |website=The State Samgha Maha Nayaka Committee|url=http://www.mahana.org.mm/en/religious-affairs/the-account-of-wazo-monks-and-nuns-in-1377-2016-year/|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-19}}</ref> | ||
Like the [[maechi]] of neighbouring [[Thailand]] and the [[dasa sil mata]] of [[Sri Lanka]], thilashin occupy a position somewhere between that of an | Like the ''[[maechi]]'' of neighbouring [[Thailand]] and the ''[[dasa sil mata]]'' of [[Sri Lanka]], {{Transl|my|thilashin}} occupy a position somewhere between that of an eight-precept lay follower and a fully ordained monastic. However, they are treated more favourably than {{Transl|th|maechi}}, being able to receive training, practice meditation and sit for the same qualification examinations as the monks. | ||
Thilashins observe the [[Eight Precepts#Ten Precepts|ten precepts]] and can be recognized by their pink robes, shaven head, orange or brown shawl and metal alms bowl. Thilashins would also go out on alms round on [[uposatha]] days and receive uncooked rice or money. | {{Transl|my|Thilashins}} observe the [[Eight Precepts#Ten Precepts|ten precepts]] and can be recognized by their pink robes, shaven head, orange or brown shawl and metal alms bowl. {{Transl|my|Thilashins}} would also go out on alms round on ''[[uposatha]]'' days and receive uncooked rice or money. | ||
Thilashins are addressed with the [[Burmese names#Honorifics|honorifics]] | {{Transl|my|Thilashins}} are addressed with the [[Burmese names#Honorifics|honorifics]] {{Transl|my|sayalay}} ({{MYname|MY=ဆရာလေး|MLCTS=sa.rale:}}, {{IPA-my|sʰəjàlé|}}, 'little teacher') and {{Transl|my|daw}} ({{MYname|MY=ဒေါ်|MLCTS=dau:}}, {{IPA-my|dɔ̀|}}). These are attached to the [[Dharma name|Buddhist name]] given. | ||
Thilashins often reside in either separate quarters or in segregated [[kyaung]] (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 | {{Transl|my|Thilashins}} often reside in either separate quarters or in segregated ''[[kyaung]]'' (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== | ==Ordination== | ||
{{main|Ordination of women in Buddhism}} | {{main|Ordination of women in Buddhism}} | ||
Thilashins are not fully ordained members of the [[ | {{Transl|my|Thilashins}} are not fully ordained members of the [[Sangha]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Swearer|first=Donald K.|title=The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia|date=1995|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-7914-2460-5|language=en}}</ref> The full {{Transl|pi|bhikkhuni}} lineage of [[Theravada|Theravada Buddhism]] 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 {{Transl|my|thilashin}} the only option for women who wish to renounce in Burma. As a result, in many respects the lifestyle of {{Transl|my|thilashins}} resembles that of an ordained {{Transl|pi|bhikkhuni}}, even to the extent of making a daily alms-round. | ||
There have been efforts by some thilashins to reinstate the bhikkhuni lineage, although there are serious reservations and legal obstacles from the government, monks and general populace. A new Theravada bhikkhuni sangha was first convened in 1996, and since then many more have taken the full vows. However, in Myanmar, thilashins remain the only monastic option for women at this time and ordaining as a bhikkhuni is an offence punishable by imprisonment. | There have been efforts by some {{Transl|my|thilashins}} to reinstate the {{Transl|pi|bhikkhuni}} lineage, although there are serious reservations and legal obstacles from the government, monks and general populace. A new Theravada {{Transl|pi|bhikkhuni}} sangha was first convened in 1996, and since then many more have taken the full vows. However, in Myanmar, {{Transl|my|thilashins}} remain the only monastic option for women at this time and ordaining as a {{Transl|pi|bhikkhuni}} is an offence punishable by imprisonment. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{Portal|Religion}} | |||
* [[Donchee]] | * [[Donchee]] | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
{{Buddhism topics}} | {{Buddhism topics}} | ||
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[[Category:Ordination of women in Buddhism]] | [[Category:Ordination of women in Buddhism]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist religious occupations]] | [[Category:Buddhist religious occupations]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist | [[Category:Buddhist monasticism]] | ||
{{Buddhism-stub}} | {{Buddhism-stub}} | ||
Revision as of 05:40, 28 April 2022
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A thilashin (Burmese: သီလရှင်, pronounced [θìla̰ʃɪ̀ɰ̃], "possessor of morality", from Pali sīla) is a female renunciant in Burmese Buddhism; a Burmese Theravada Buddhist nun. They are not fully ordained nuns, as the full ordination is not legal for women in Burma (bhikkhuni), but are closer to sāmaṇerīs, 'novice nuns'. According to 2016 statistics published by the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, there were 60,390 thilashin in Myanmar (Burma).[1]
Like the maechi of neighbouring Thailand and the dasa sil mata of Sri Lanka, thilashin occupy a position somewhere between that of an eight-precept lay follower and a fully ordained monastic. However, they are treated more favourably than maechi, being able to receive training, practice meditation and sit for the same qualification examinations as the monks.
Thilashins observe the ten precepts and can be recognized by their pink robes, shaven head, orange or brown shawl and metal alms bowl. Thilashins would also go out on alms round on uposatha days and receive uncooked rice or money.
Thilashins are addressed with the honorifics sayalay (Template:MYname, [sʰəjàlé], 'little teacher') and daw (Template:MYname, [dɔ̀]). These are attached to the Buddhist name given.
Thilashins often reside in either separate quarters or in segregated kyaung (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
Thilashins are not fully ordained members of the Sangha.[2] The full bhikkhuni lineage of Theravada Buddhism 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 thilashin the only option for women who wish to renounce in Burma. As a result, in many respects the lifestyle of thilashins resembles that of an ordained bhikkhuni, even to the extent of making a daily alms-round.
There have been efforts by some thilashins to reinstate the bhikkhuni lineage, although there are serious reservations and legal obstacles from the government, monks and general populace. A new Theravada bhikkhuni sangha was first convened in 1996, and since then many more have taken the full vows. However, in Myanmar, thilashins remain the only monastic option for women at this time and ordaining as a bhikkhuni is an offence punishable by imprisonment.
See also
References
- ↑ "The Account of Wazo Monks and Nuns in 1377 (2016 year)". The State Samgha Maha Nayaka Committee. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
- ↑ Swearer, Donald K. (1995). The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia. State University of New York Press. ISBN 978-0-7914-2460-5.
External links
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