You might have seen thilashins walking slowly, heads bowed under the midday sun. Unlike the monks, they collect alms not at dawn but later, when the streets grow busy and alms less prepared. Some laypeople give rice, some shyly turn away. These nuns are not fully ordained bhikkhunis. In Myanmar, full ordination for women is not legally recognized in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.

Yet, within these long-accepted norms lies a powerful scriptural collection that might offer a different perspective. The Therigatha, or “Verses of the Elder Nuns”, is a rare Buddhist scripture written by women—and one of the oldest known works of women’s literature in the world. Composed over 2,000 years ago, around the late 3rd century BCE, this anthology of 73 poems—522 stanzas in total—captures the voices of the therīs, enlightened women who share their struggles, reflections, and wisdom on the path to arahantship. Today, the Therigatha is preserved as the ninth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, one of the three collections that make up the Pali Tipitaka, the sacred scriptures of Theravada Buddhism.

Yet, how many of us in Myanmar have heard about Therigatha? How many have sat with these verses and reflected on what they mean for the role of women in our society today? Although the Therigatha is rarely recognized in Myanmar’s society, it holds profound wisdom for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.

Historically, Buddhism has been the cornerstone of Myanmar’s nation-building. Buddhist thoughts shape our social norms, our customs, and even our laws. Whether one embraces it in its most traditional form, or reimagines it through a pluralistic lens, the Buddhist influence in Myanmar is undeniable. And so, engaging deeply with texts like the Therigatha is not just a religious exercise. It offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on how we understand gender, equality, and the quest for freedom or nirvana.

Attached below, the Therigatha Journal seeks to bring the Therigatha to Burmese readers in an accessible way. In each section, you will find the original verse in Burmese script, a Burmese explanation, and reflection questions.

May we always remember to treat each other with kindness.

Link to eBook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15jwb0xHCEUJ5DaNIa658cgFCgVU3Cp-f/view?usp=share_link

Recommended English Translations
Web version: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/thig/index.html
Therigatha: Poems of the First Buddhist Women(Translated by Charles Hallisey) https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674251359

If you have any question or comment, please contact Dhamma Literacy at dhammaliteracy@gmail.com.