Across Thailand a quiet revolution is underway. Hundreds of women are defying generations of Thai tradition and ordaining as Theravada Buddhist monks. Subscribe for more documentaries: https://ab.co/3yqPOZ5

‘Woman can do it too, not only man. Men can say anything they want, but if woman decide to do it, just go for it. Nothing going to stop you and nothing should stop you.’ Achara Ratanakasin, novice monk candidate.

In Thailand, only men can officially become monks. For women, it's forbidden.

The governing body for monk's, the Supreme Sangha Council, says women can’t be ordained because female monks never existed in Thailand.

‘The monk’s law doesn’t endorse them. Therefore, they can’t be ordained. If they are ordained, it is considered an offense to Buddha.’ Phra Thamkittimetee, Buddhist Protection Society of Thailand.

But female advocates say they are simply restoring a long-lost female monastic order started by the Lord Buddha himself when he ordained his own stepmother.

At the forefront of the growing movement is Venerable Dhammananda. In 2003 she became Thailand’s first Theravada Buddhist female monk after being ordained in Sri Lanka.

‘We are asking for ordination, you are not giving it to us, that's fine. So we go somewhere else. And then we come back with the lineage.’ Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

As the Abbess of Thailand’s first all-female monastery, she’s now offering temporary ordination to other women.

‘A new chapter is about to begin…my focus is really clear that I have to do this… it's probably the only thing that I believe that can make me a better person.’ Wanida ‘Anne’ Lertpanyawai, novice monk candidate.

In this moving episode of Foreign Correspondent reporter Mazoe Ford follows two women as they embark on a deeply spiritual quest to reclaim the saffron robe.

‘I keep telling them, you are part of this movement that is going to be written down in history… we are on the right side of history.’ Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni.

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