Daughters of the Buddha

• Prize
  Shortlist
• Photographer
  Sharon Eilon, Israel
• Category
  Asia
• Website
  https://www.sharoneilon.com

A common sight in Burma is the groups of Buddhist nuns in their pink robes and shaved heads, praying, meditating and out on alms rounds. They have their own nunneries, communities and schools, and are highly respected by the public.
However, a deeper look reveals a complex attitude by the Buddhists monks, supported by the government. From a religious point of view, they are not considered as nuns. They are called "Thila-Shin", meaning possessor of morality, and are not fully ordained nuns. Currently, ordaining as a bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun) is an offence punishable by imprisonment in Myanmar.