Getting in line for goodwill

A Buddhist nun yesterday leading a line of novice nuns to receive food from the public during the Songkran Festival at the Sathira-Dhammasathan Buddhist meditation centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

Some Thai girls spend part of their school holidays as novices at the meditation centre, even having their heads shaven.

The centre, founded in 1987, is a learning community for peace and harmony with programmes open to the public, regardless of age and gender. It was founded by Mae Chee Sansanee Sthirasuta, a Buddhist nun renowned in Thailand for her teachings and humanitarian efforts.

She advocates peace, harmony, respect and an open heart, without discrimination or bias.

Many Thais hold her in the highest regard.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 14, 2016, with the headline Getting in line for goodwill. Subscribe