Thilashin Walking With Parasols In Nyaung Shwe,Inle Lake, Shan State Editorial Image

A Thilashin is a female lay renunciant in Buddhism in Myanmar. They are often mistakenly referred to as `nuns` bhikkhuni, but are closer to sāmaṇerīs `novitiates`. Like the maechi of neighbouring Thailand and the dasa sil mata of Sri Lanka, thilashin occupy a position somewhere between that of an ordinary lay follower and an ordained monastic. However, they are treated more favourably than maechi, being able to receive training, practice meditation and sit for the same qualification examinations as the monks.