Buddhism in Myanmar

Buddhism, especially the Theravada branch, is the official and state religion of Myanmar and is practiced by nearly 90% of the population. It is the country with the highest proportion of monks and the most money spent on religion. With around 48 million Buddhists, Myanmar has the third largest Buddhist population in the world, after Thailand and China. Most followers belong to groups like the Bamar, Shan, Rakhine, Mon, Karen, and Chinese, all of whom are part of Burmese society.

Monks, known together as the sangha, are highly respected in Burmese society. Many people also worship nats, spirits believed to help with everyday matters. Two popular practices in Myanmar are merit-making and vipassanā meditation. Merit-making involves following the Five precepts and doing good deeds, like giving charity to monks, to gain a better rebirth. Meditation, which became more popular in the early 20th century, is seen as a way to reach awakening and may include intense meditation retreats. There is also a less common practice called the weizza path, which includes special rituals and beliefs about becoming a semi-immortal being who will wait for the future Buddha, Maitreya.

Pre-modern history

Buddhism in the Mon and Pyu states

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

By the 4th century, most people in the Pyu states practiced Buddhism, though 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 centers of Buddhist culture. They built temples and wrote Buddhist texts in the Pali language.

Buddhism in the Bagan Kingdom

The Burmese people adopted Buddhism after contact with 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, and many suffered under strict rules. Despite this, monks continued to support democracy movements. During protests, many monks were treated harshly by the military.

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 traditional festivals celebrate this. Common activities include visiting pagodas, donating food to monks, and taking special promises called precepts. The Burmese New Year, called Thingyan or the Water Festival, is a big celebration in mid-April where boys often join monasteries briefly in a ceremony called shinbyu.

Vesak is the most important holiday, marking the birth, awakening, and death of the Buddha. People celebrate by giving to monks, following precepts, and meditating. Other festivals include the Dhammasekya Day, the Festival of Lights, and pagoda festivals, which attract many visitors and include 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. Devotional practices include taking refuge in the Buddha, chanting verses, and bowing respectfully.

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

Meditation is widely practiced, with many centers available for both laypeople and monks. The shinbyu ceremony is important for boys, marking 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 also common, with many children learning in monastery schools.

Monasticism

Main articles: Buddhist monasticism and Buddhist sects in Myanmar

Buddhist monks are highly respected in Myanmar. In 2016, there were around 535,000 monks and novice monks, with many belonging to different groups. The two largest groups are Thudhamma Gaing, making up most monks, and Shwegyin Gaing. There are also smaller groups like Mahādvāra, Mūladvāra, and others.

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, but they are not fully ordained nuns. Thilashins can meditate and study, and they help in temples without serving the monks. Some thilashins have tried to become fully ordained nuns, but this is not widely accepted yet in Myanmar.

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 the same rules as young novice nuns but are not fully ordained. Thilashins wear pink robes and shaven heads, and they collect food and donations. They live in special areas in temples and are respected, though they are not considered the same as monks. Some thilashins have traveled to other countries to become fully ordained nuns, but in Myanmar, thilashin remains the main choice for women who want to follow a religious path.

Politics

Buddhism has played an important role in the development of politics in Myanmar. Buddhist monks and groups of people have been active in the country's politics. The idea of Burmese nationalism began with the formation of the Young Men's Buddhist Association in 1906. Monks and students have led efforts for independence and later for democracy. Some well-known leaders include U Ottama and U Seinda in Rakhine State.

Buddhist monks sometimes join protests and may choose not to accept gifts from certain political leaders. This action is a strong way to show disapproval. Since the country gained independence, leaders have supported Buddhism through gifts as a way 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.

One recent time when many monks joined protests was during the Saffron Revolution of 2007. The military government responded very strictly.

Demographics

Buddhism is practiced by about 90% of the people in Myanmar. Data from old surveys going back to 1891 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 marks an important law from 1961 that recognized Buddhism as the country’s main religion. In 2015, a group called the Association for Protection of Race and Religion asked the government to officially celebrate this day.

In 2021, people celebrated the 60th anniversary of State Religion Day. The Young Men's Buddhist Association led 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.