Master Nun Yanee Sirivoharn
Reverend Maechee Yanee Sirivoharn
Former President of
The Thai Buddhist Nun Institute Under Her Majesty The Queen’s Patronage
(1916 – 1976)
Birth:
Maechee Yanee was born in
Sotorn Sub-District, Mueng District, Chachoengsao Province, on Tuesday, 6 June
1916. She is the third child of Mr. Joi
and Mrs. Jiam Sirivoharn. When she was a
kid, she was raised by Grandma Boonmee, the wealthy person of Chachoengsao
Province. Later on, Grandma Thip, a
Buddhist nun who lived at Wat Paknam in Bangkok, adopted her.
Ordination:
When Yanee was 20 year
old, she asked for permission from Grandma Thip to be ordained as a Buddhist
nun. Grandma Thip agreed and brought
Yanee to see Luang Por Wat Paknam (Sodh Candasaro) in order to request for
Buddhist nun ordination. Luang Por
managed for Yanee to be ordained on 5 November 1934, and he changed her first
name from ‘Sa-nguan’ to ‘Yanee.’
Meditation:
Maechee Yanee followed
the guideline and teaching of the seniors, and she respected in the
supervising. She paid much attention to
Luang Por Wat Paknam’s teachings and persevered in meditation practice until
she attained Dhammakaya soon after her ordination. This was also made possible with her well
accumulated merit as well. Maechee Yanee
was able to practice the advanced superknowledge of Dhammakaya meditation
respectively. Later on, she was assigned
by Luang Por Wat Paknam to instruct Dhammakaya meditation to other Buddhist
nuns and interested persons who wished to learn meditation at Wat Paknam. Maechee Yanee was very capable in teaching,
and she had a beautiful voice as her specialty, and her saying was so
clear. These qualities of Maechaee Yanee
were admired by many people throughout the period of 40 years of her
teaching.
Superknowledge &
Teaching:
Moreover, she was
entrusted by Luang Por Wat Paknam to supervise the advanced Dhammakaya
meditation practice shift at the meditation workshop of Wat Paknam where she
helped to eliminate or lessen the sufferings of people, either mentally or
physically, who requested for help, for the sake of merit. Maechee Yanee had a strong motivation and
perseverance in studying the Dhamma doctrine.
She attended the Dhamma study course by herself. By that time, it was difficult to find the
instructors, time for studying, and Dhamma text books. She spent as many as nine years to complete
the advanced level of Dhamma study which was the highest level. If everything was supportive, it was possible
to complete the advanced Dhamma study in three years. Luang Por Wat Paknam was very much satisfied
with Maechee Yanee’s perseverance without disheartening. He always admired and exemplified Maechee
Yanee among younger Buddhist nuns who studied the Dhamma courses.
Conducts &
Achievements:
Maechee Yanee was a
virtuous senior who practiced the four virtues of Brahma namely metta, karuna,
mudhita, and upekkha. She had none of
the four biases (agati). In addition,
she was a competent governor. Achariya
Kalya Sahajatikosi, who used to be under her support, had praised Maechee Yanee
for her goodness always in respect of attentiveness, manners, education, and
mental training, which Maechee Yanee provided to her subordinates until they
could improved themselves from being emotional, arrogant, disheartened, and
discouraged to be profound, calm, courageous, humble, patient, and enduring,
which allowed them to take refuge in themselves. With her leadership, creativity, willpower,
energy, and commitment toward her duties, Maechee Yanee was honored and
respected for her goodness, and she was well known. With great support she received from others,
she was able to establish the Thai Buddhist Nun Institute successfully in
1969. In the following year, she was
elected to be the president of the institute and remained in the position for
two consecutive terms. During her terms,
she dedicated so much to her work according to her determination.
Passing Away:
Later on, her health was
worsen as she aged. She was admitted to
Chulalongkorn Hospital for treatment and a surgery in 1975 under the patronage
of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. After
that, Maechee Yanee returned to live at Wat Paknam as usual, but her disease was
either stable or worsen. She was sick
again because of nerve system and admitted to Payathai Hospital. Finally, she passed away on 6 December 1976. Her memorial service and cremation ceremony
were under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. This was a great honor to Maechee Yanee
Sirivoharn who already passed away, leaving her good deeds and works behind to
be appreciated by the younger generations.
Compiled
by Pattana Bhavanan and Sudsa-ngiam Petchsakul
Translated
from Thai to English by Pittaya Wong
