International Bhikkhuni Day, 2014 (Part 18)

Honouring Eminent Asian Buddhist Women in the Modern Era
D. Courage and Resilience in Spiritual Practice in Challenging Conditions

4. Myanmar – Daw Thissawaddy, (1965 - ). A Buddhist nun who studied for a Ph.D in religious philosophy in Sri Lanka and received her higher ordination there. She was detained on 27 May, 2004 when she returned to Rangoon to attend an international conference and to see her father who was ill. He passed away soon after.

Prior to her return, she had sent a letter of appeal to the government to accept women for higher ordination in Myanmar. She was charged under Section 295 and 295(a) of Burma's criminal code. Section 295 relates to "abusing religion" while 295(a) addresses "desecration of religious buildings and property."

When news of her arrest became known to the world, the junta released her and she left the country. She is now living in America and is married to a Zen practitioner. She has an older sister who is a Sayalay and their father had been a bhikkhu before.