Maechee Kaew Memorial Chedi

from Thai Forest Tradition blogspot~

photos from Loung Por Khemadhammo's album from his visit to Maechee Kaew's chedi

Thai nun Maechee Kaew is revered as a modern enlightened Buddhist saint in the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Maha Boowa.

Forest Dhamma Books recently published a new book: Mae Chee Kaew- Her Journey to Spiritual Awakening & Englightenment. The book is available to be downloaded for free online at http://forestdhammabooks.com/. The book is translated by Ajahn Silaratano. You can read a review of this book on Wandering Dhamma here.

There is also a new article on her life by Leeds' scholar Martin Seeger out:

‘Against the Stream’: the Thai femaleBuddhist saint Mae Chi Kaew Sianglam (1901–1991).

A chedi (caitya) or reliquary stupa has been built to display her relics and belongings in Mukdahan, Northeast Thailand.

Here is an except from the words of Mae Chee Kaew taken from the book:

"When I went to the monastery as a young girl, I had to be accompanied by my parents, and I wasn't allow to mingle with the monks. While listening to the monks discuss Dhamma, I sat way in the back, just within earshot. The venerable meditation master taught us how to pay homage to the Buddha and how to praise his virtues with chanting. He encouraged us to radiate loving kindness to all living beings, and to always be open-hearted and generous. He told us that no matter how generous we were as lay supporters, the virtue of that generosity could not compare with the virtue of ordaining as a white-robed nun and earnestly practicing the way to end all suffering. That message always remained close to my heart."

Mae Chee Kaew (1901- 1991) had been taught by Luang Phor Mun- and she had always been well known for her psychic abilities. Luang Phor Mun had taught her carefully to ensure that her psychic abilities from her past practice did not interfere with her practice. Luangta, when he wrote the Spiritual Biography of Acariya Mun, had personally spoken to Mae Chee Kaew.

a wax image of Maechee Kaew (above) and her crematory relics or Phra That - Pali: Saririka Dhatu (below)