Thailand Ordination of women in Buddhism

in 1928, supreme patriarch of thailand, responding attempted ordination of 2 women, issued edict monks must not ordain women samaneris (novices), sikkhamanas (probationers) or bhikkhunis. 2 women reportedly arrested , jailed briefly. varanggana vanavichayen became first female monk ordained in thailand in 2002. dhammananda bhikkhuni, professor of buddhist philosophy known dr chatsumarn kabilsingh, controversially ordained first novice , bhikkhuni in sri lanka in 2003 upon revival of full ordination of women there. since then, thai senate has reviewed , revoked secular law banning women s full ordination in buddhism unconstitutional being counter laws protecting freedom of religion. more 20 further thai women have followed in dhammananda bhikkhuni s footsteps, temples, monasteries , meditations centers led thai bhikkhunis emerging in samut sakhon, chiang mai , rayong. thai senate has reviewed , revoked secular law passed in 1928 banning women s full ordination in buddhism unconstitutional being counter laws protecting freedom of religion. stance of thai sangha hierarchy has largely changed 1 of denial of existence of bhikkhunis 1 of acceptance of bhikkhunis of foreign (non-thai) traditions. thailand s 2 main theravada buddhist orders, mahanikaya , dhammayutika nikaya, have yet officially accept ordained women ranks. despite substantial , growing support inside religious hierarchy, fierce opposition ordination of women within sangha remains.