Maechee Arun Pheturai

Thailand

Maechee Arun Pheturai grew up in a family of seven sisters and brothers, and studied up to the level of high school, while working on her family's farm. In 1959, she began to study the Dhamma, and ordained as a Maechee in order to learn further about the Buddha's teachings. She specialized in Vinaya and Abhidhamma.

Maechee Arun Pheturai has dedicated her life to promoting the status of Maechees in Thailand, and has served as the Secretary of the Thai Maechee Institute from 1981-1993. She helped establish centers for Maechees in: Pasang and Nakhon Sawan Provinces in the north; Nongbua Lamphu and Petchaboon Provinces in the northeast; U-Tapao and Rayong Province in the east; and Ratchaburi, Petburi, Hua-Hin of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province and Supanburi Province in central Thailand.

Maechee Arun organized and led pilgrimage (Tu-dong) practices for the King's 60th birthday, with 134 people walking for 5 days from Paktor, Ratchaburi Province to Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom Province. For the Queen's 60th birthday, she organized a pilgrimage practice of 60 people who walked for 9 days from Pasang Province to the top of Doi Suthep mountain in Chiangmai.

Maechee Arun was the editor of the Thai Maechee Journal from 1984-1994, and has been an invited guest speaker for many projects to support Buddhist women up to the present. Maechee Arun is known for being authentic and earnest.