The History of Buddhism in Myanmar
Buddhism in Myanmar (Burma) has a highly nuanced and complex history, and this introduction is meant only to describe a few of the more salient features of its development. Since Myanmar has historically received much of its religious influence from India, this connection is very important. But the Shan Chinese and Mongol influences also played a key role in the religion's dominance in Myanmar.
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Early History
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Hindu missionaries from India and Nepal have been traced back to as early as the ninth century B.C. Some have even held that Buddha himself had visited what we now call Myanmar many times in his life. Consequently, Chinese travelers had reported that all Burma was almost completely Buddhist at least by the third century A.D. In fact, scholars such as the well-known Roger Bischoff hold that reformation councils were held regularly in southern Burma at a much earlier date of 232 B.C., strongly suggesting a very early date for the acceptance of some kind of Buddhist doctrine. However, it took a very long time before Buddhism's sophisticated philosophical doctrines were able to penetrate the traditional pagan practices of the population.
Fifh Century Crisis
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From the fifth century A.D. to the eighth, several revolts sought to bring Indian and other forms of eastern religions to Burma. Monarchs sought revolutionary changes in their realms by radically changing the Buddhist nature of the society. Nevertheless, many archeological finds from the late fifth century prove that a thriving and highly literate Buddhist culture existed at that time in Burma.
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Unification Under Anawratha
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The monarchs Anawratha (d. 1077) sought the re-imposition of a highly sophisticated and purified Buddhism on his growing state. Anawratha and his successors engaged in a tremendous amount of temple and monastery building, and, as a consequence, increased the literacy and philosophical level of the country. The first real "Burmese Empire" developed under this talented and energetic king, and religiously, the Theravada form of Buddhism was officially promoted. Unfortunately, the Mongol invasions disrupted this reorganization.
1472 to 1581
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The reorganization of Burma into a large empire was the work of two powerful monarchs, Dhammazeda (d. 1492) and Bayinnaung (d. 1581). Both men fought the Mongol invaders, created a wealthy empire and made the Theravada form of Buddhism (incidentally also promoted by the pagan Mongols) the official religion and philosophy of the state. Both monarchs purified the different monasteries and stamped out official corruption. Many new monks were initiated during this time, repopulating the monastic institutions and the educational establishments of the empire. In addition, the new monastic orders served as advocates for the people with the increasingly large and powerful state.
Modern Era
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The modern era has not been good for Burmese Buddhism. Tribal warfare, political tyranny, religious disunity and colonialism destroyed the classical empire of Bayinnaung. Monarchs took over the running of the larger monasteries and used them for their own purposes. Corruption was unchecked, and the former unity of the nation was destroyed until the imposition of military rule in the 1960s.
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