Dhammananda Bhikkhuni (b.1944,) born Chatsumarn Kabilsingh, is a Thai Buddhist nun, scholar, and author known for reviving the Theravāda bhikkhuni lineage in Thailand. She is the abbess of Songdhammakalyani Monastery in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand’s first temple for fully ordained female monks.
Born in Bangkok to a Buddhist family, her mother, Voramai Kabilsingh, was the first modern Thai woman fully ordained in the Dharmaguptaka lineage in Taiwan. Dhammananda pursued higher education, earning a B.A. in Philosophy from Visva Bharati University, an M.A. in Religion from McMaster University in Canada, and a PhD in Buddhism from Magadh University in India. She later taught for 27 years at Thammasat University in Bangkok.
In 2003, she became the first Thai woman fully ordained as a Theravāda bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka. Since then, she has worked to promote gender equality in Thai Buddhism and educate the public on Buddhist teachings.
Dhammananda has authored over 100 books, many published under her birth name. Her works examine Buddhism’s role in society, gender issues, and spiritual development. Notable titles include Thai Women in Buddhism (1991,) Buddhism and Women’s Liberation (1999,) The Path of the Female Monk (2002,) and This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda (2024,) which explores the spiritual journey and wisdom of ordained women.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Dhammananda Bhikkhuni
The first precept in Buddhism is “Do not kill.” This precept is not merely a legalistic prohibition, but a realization of our affinity with all who share the gift of life. A compassionate heart provides a firm ground for this precept.
—Dhammananda Bhikkhuni
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