What's the difference between female monks (ภิกขุนี) and nuns (แม่ชี), other than one wears yellow robe, and the other wears white robe? I also noted that on non government public buses, nuns have to pay fare but male monks don't.

(1) Bikkhuni follow the 311 precepts (actually more than male monks who follow 227) - it's a very strict life. Nuns only follow 8 precepts.

(2) Nuns are accepted by the male clergy in Thailand; bikkhuni aren't. The misogynistic view of the sangha here is that the line of bikkhuni died out several centuries ago, so can not be resurrected. (A bikkhuni needs to be ordained both by a monk and a bikkhuni - no bikkhuni, no ordination.) The line of bikkhuni has been reintroduced by women who've been ordained in Sri Lanka where the tradition did not die out.

Good to know. Thanks

Female nuns get no special priveliges, have to do all housework for male monks and pay their own way. They get to eat the leftover food from the morning rounds

Male monks do pretty much nothing but have to get up early to collect the food and cash, get special treatment travelling around and get to shop for smart phones and computers.

Male monks do pretty much nothing but have to get up early to collect the food and cash, get special treatment travelling around and get to shop for smart phones and computers.

Given your rather jaundiced and incorrect (but humorous in a way) view of their usual daily routine, I'm surprised that you're not lining up to get your head shaved!

Male monks do pretty much nothing but have to get up early to collect the food and cash, get special treatment travelling around and get to shop for smart phones and computers.

Given your rather jaundiced and incorrect (but humorous in a way) view of their usual daily routine, I'm surprised that you're not lining up to get your head shaved!

"Incorrect" because it's contrary to the way they're *supposed* to behave, do you mean? Because that sounds like a pretty accurate description of the actual behavior of many monks in Thailand (and Cambodia) to me!

Male monks practise singing in harmony every day which is pretty cool but im not into getting up at the crack of dawn to wander around the village before i get a coffee!