Buddhism in Myanmar

Buddhism, especially the Theravada branch, is the official and state religion of Myanmar. It is practiced by most people there. Myanmar has many Buddhists, with around 48 million, making it the third largest Buddhist country after Thailand and China. Many different groups in Burmese society follow Buddhism.

Monks, called the sangha, are very respected in Burmese society. People also believe in nats, spirits who help with daily life. Two common practices in Myanmar are merit-making and vipassanā meditation. Merit-making means following the Five precepts and doing good deeds, like giving to monks, to have a better life next time. Meditation became more popular in the early 20th century and is a way to find peace. There is also a less common practice called the weizza path, which has special rituals and beliefs about waiting for the future Buddha, Maitreya.

Pre-modern history

Buddhism in the Mon and Pyu states

The early history of Buddhism in Burma is hard to understand. Old stories say that a king named Ashoka sent two monks, Sona and Uttara, to a place called Suvaṇṇabhūmi around 228 BCE. This place might have been in modern-day Thailand or in southern Burma.

By the 4th century, most people in the Pyu states practiced Buddhism, but they also kept some of their older customs. The main form of Buddhism they followed was Theravāda Buddhism.

From the 5th century onward, the Pyu and Mon people were important for Buddhist culture. They built temples and wrote Buddhist texts in the Pali language.

Buddhism in the Bagan Kingdom

The Burmese people adopted Buddhism after meeting the Pyu and Mon cultures. At first, their Buddhism mixed many different ideas, including some from older traditions.

In the 11th century, King Anawrahta made Buddhism stronger in his kingdom. He encouraged the study of Buddhist texts and built many temples. He also invited Buddhist teachers from other places to help spread the teachings.

Even with these changes, older customs like worshiping spirits and some practices from other religions still existed alongside Buddhism.

Era of Fragmentation (14th–16th centuries)

During this time, different kingdoms ruled different parts of Burma. Each kingdom supported Buddhism in its own way.

In some places, Buddhist teachers continued to write and teach. In others, older customs like worshiping spirits were still common.

Taungoo Buddhism (1510–1752)

In the 16th century, leaders like Tabinshwehti and Bayinnaung united Burma. They supported Buddhism and tried to make it more uniform across the country.

They built temples, promoted the study of Buddhist texts, and encouraged people to follow Buddhist practices.

Konbaung dynasty

In the mid-18th century, King Alaungpaya started the Konbaung dynasty. His son Bodawpaya worked to organize the Buddhist community and make sure monks followed the rules.

During this time, Buddhist learning grew stronger. Many new commentaries on Buddhist texts were written, and Buddhist ideas became more widespread in everyday life.

Older customs, like worshiping spirits, still existed, but Buddhism became the main religion.

Modern era

Reign of Mindon Min (1853–1878)

King Mindon Min helped modernize Buddhism in Myanmar. After the British took over Lower Burma, many monks moved to Mandalay. Mindon tried to get them to return to teach people, but some monks formed groups independent of royal control. Others moved to stricter monasteries in the Sagaing hills.

Mindon also created the Fifth Buddhist Council to edit religious texts and made stone tablets of the teachings, stored at the Kuthodaw Pagoda complex.

British rule

After Mindon’s death, British rule began. The new government did not support Buddhism as before, and Christian missionaries became common. Many Buddhists felt their religion was in danger and started new groups to teach and protect Buddhism. Important leaders like Ledi Sayadaw taught meditation and wrote books to help people understand Buddhism.

Parliamentary era

After Myanmar gained independence, leaders supported Buddhism. Prime Minister U Nu made Buddhism the state religion and promoted Buddhist education. He also created public holidays for important Buddhist days.

Burmese Way to Socialism

Later military governments tried to control Buddhism. Some monks were arrested for protesting. Despite this, monks continued to support democracy movements.

Today, some monks speak out against other groups, but most believe monks should stay out of politics.

Religious practices and traditions

Myanmar's culture is deeply influenced by Buddhism, and many festivals celebrate this. People often visit pagodas, give food to monks, and make special promises called precepts. The Burmese New Year, called Thingyan or the Water Festival, is a big celebration in mid-April. During this time, boys may join monasteries briefly in a ceremony called shinbyu.

Vesak is the most important holiday. It marks the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha. People celebrate by giving to monks, following precepts, and meditating. Other festivals include Dhammasekya Day, the Festival of Lights, and pagoda festivals. These events attract many visitors and feature markets and performances.

Buddhist homes often have a small altar with a statue of the Buddha. Offerings like flowers and candles are placed there. Before a Buddha statue can be used, a special ceremony called buddhābhiseka is held. People show respect by taking refuge in the Buddha, chanting verses, and bowing.

A key part of Buddhist life is doing good deeds to make merit, such as giving to monks. Buddhists follow precepts, like not harming others or lying, and sometimes take extra precepts on special days. Listening to the Buddha's teachings is also considered a good deed.

Meditation is widely practiced, with many centers for both laypeople and monks. The shinbyu ceremony is important for boys, as it marks their first time joining a monastery. During the rainy season, called Vassa, monks stay in monasteries, and people offer them new robes. Buddhist education is common, with many children learning in monastery schools.

Monasticism

Main articles: Buddhist monasticism and Buddhist sects in Myanmar

Buddhist monks are very respected in Myanmar. Many monks belong to different groups. The two largest groups are Thudhamma Gaing and Shwegyin Gaing. There are also smaller groups.

Most monks wear maroon robes, though some wear ochre. Women in Myanmar who choose to live a religious life are called thilashin. They follow special rules and wear pink robes. Thilashins can meditate and study, and they help in temples.

Female monastics

Main articles: Ordination of women in Buddhism and Thilashin

In Myanmar, women who want to live a religious life become thilashin. They follow rules and wear pink robes. Thilashins live in special areas in temples and are respected.

Politics

Buddhism has been important in Myanmar's politics. Buddhist monks and groups have taken part in the country's politics. The idea of Burmese nationalism started with the Young Men's Buddhist Association in 1906. Monks and students have led efforts for independence and later for democracy. Well-known leaders include U Ottama and U Seinda in Rakhine State.

Buddhist monks sometimes join protests and may refuse gifts from some political leaders. This shows strong disapproval. Since the country became independent, leaders have supported Buddhism with gifts to show their right to lead.

The Shwedagon Pagoda has been a key place for big public meetings. Important figures like Aung San and his daughter Aung San Suu Kyi have given famous speeches there. During a university strike in 1936, students stayed on the pagoda's terraces.

Many monks joined protests during the Saffron Revolution of 2007. The military government responded strictly.

Demographics

Buddhism is practiced by about 90% of the people in Myanmar. Old surveys show that between 84% and 90% of the population followed Buddhism.

State Religion Day

People in Myanmar celebrate State Religion Day on the Full Moon Day of Wagaung. This day remembers a law from 1961 that named Buddhism as the country’s main religion. In 2015, a group called the Association for Protection of Race and Religion asked the government to celebrate this day officially.

In 2021, people celebrated the 60th anniversary of State Religion Day. The Young Men's Buddhist Association helped lead the celebrations. People put up special flags in their homes and shared photos on social media. The government of Kayin State also joined in the celebrations.