Maechee Pimjai Maneerat

Thailand

My worldly education has not been very much; yet, my Dhamma education has already spanned 17 years as a Maechee.

At first when I ordained, I thought that it would be for a short period of time. However, I grew in my Dhamma studies, Abhidhamma studies and faith in Buddhism. Then a confidence arose in me that I could help others. I made the Dhamma the practice of my life.

Now, I am the Director of a Residential Educational Project (which is part of the Thai Maechee Institute). The Project is in the mountains of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. This project which I developed assists needy mountain children who have no citizenship and come from Burma. It has been 10 years now, and on average I care for and offer an education to about 115 children per day. There are many ethnic mountainous people (Thai, Burmese, Mon, Yakai, Taweh and Laotian), and I have worked with these youth in order to teach them Dhamma and to help them become literate in Thai, so that they may find right livelihood in Thailand.

In this Project I have overcome many obstacles. We have very little food, clothing or school materials. Yet, I feel that an education is very important for these youths, so I have struggled to provide for their lives. Now I am referred to as “Mother Monk of the Mountains.”