Chanyanat Sanpakdithai

Cambodia

Thailand

Chanyanat Sanpakdithai

Cambodia - Thailand

Chanyanat Sanpakdithai was born in Cambodia with the name of Gia Lee. She lived through the Cambodian civil war and experienced as many females the consequences thereof.

Her clearest memory is of being taken across a river into Thailand. She was fortunate to eventually have been rescued and taken to the first women and children's shelter in southeast Asia, The Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women.

Here her life began a wonderful journey of transformation. The Director, Venerable Maechee Khunying Kanitha Wichiencharoen, accepted the young woman as her personal attendant. The master gave her the nickname, "Sow." Her teacher taught her Thai language, mathematics, English, and the norms of Thai society. Sow, through the assistance of the Master, attended and graduated from the Technical College of Chao Phraya in the Accounting Department. It was Sow who the Master selected as she neared death; Sow met her every need until her final breath.

The Master ensured Sow's employment, and gave her a position as an accountant in the office of the women's shelter which she has held respectfully for 21 years.

Sow, began to experience herself and her life differently. She participated in the Landmark Forum and several courses offered by Landmark Education, a gift from the Master's family.

Sow learned about forgiveness and love and kindness towards others from the Master. She learned to forgive others with whom we work, and to help others who come to us in need.

Sow contemplated raising a child. So, while travelling in Laos with her husband, she met one of his cousins who had been raped and was contemplating an abortion. Aware of the dangers of such a decision in a lesser developed country, Sow offered to send the woman money each month to take care of her health and that of the baby. She promised to pay for all the expenses of the child birth and to receive the infant. She kept her promise.

Before she thought of her teacher and her heart would be filled with joy. Now, she plays with her child and her heart is filled with joy.

Every time she goes to Cambodia or Laos she brings things to distribute to children in the villages, and says that the people in Laos are in greater poverty than Cambodia.

Sow, knowing that in Cambodia in the past there were Bhikkhunis, decided to take a stand for Thai women, who are denied their religious freedom. So, she said to herself, "I will send women who want to ordain as Bhikkhunis to come to ordain in Cambodia." She has kept this promise too.

Now, there is a Theravada Bhikkhuni lineage with roots from Cambodia thanks to Sow.

Her teacher saw her potential, and Sow gives back lovingly to Cambodian, Thai and Laotian people. She says, "Since I was born, I want to help others. I have my physical body and wisdom, so I will help others."