mae ji

Maechi, Maeji or Mae Chee (Thai: แม่ชี; IPA: [mɛ̂ː.t͡ɕʰiː]), "respected mother" (แม่ + honorific suffix "-ji"), are Theravada Buddhist Nuns in Thailand. As female monastics ordained under The Eight or Ten Precepts (i.e., more than the Five Precepts taken by laypersons), they formally occupy a position similar to sāmaṇerī and wear white robes, but are in practice resemblant of Theravāda bhikkhus - renunciants who have dedicated their life to Buddhist practice, meditation, vowing celibacy and ascetisicm.