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Buddhism in Myanmar is predominantly of the Theravada tradition or the southern school. About 90% of Myanmar practises Buddhism. Adherents are most likely found among the dominant ethnic Bamar (or Burmese), the Shan, the Rakhine, the Mon, the Karen, and the Chinese who are well integrated into Burmese society. Among ethnic Bamar, Theravada Buddhism is practised often in conjunction with nat worship. Monks, collectively known as the sangha are venerated members of Burmese society.
The Sasana Vamsa summarizes much of the history of Buddhism in Myanmar.
The importance of the Buddhist religion in history is evident from a landscape dominated by the Pagoda in Myanmar. The country is often called the "Land of Pagodas". The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon is steeped in myth and legend and symbolises the religious faith of the people who have worshipped there for generations.
The culture of Myanmar is deemed synonymous with its Buddhism. There are 12 Burmese festivals, each for one calendar month and most are related to Buddhism *. The Burmese New Year, Thingyan, also known as the water festival, has its origins in Hindu tradition but it is also a time when many Burmese boys celebrate shinbyu, a time when a Buddhist boy enters the monastery for a short time as a novice monk. It is the most important duty of all Burmese parents to make sure their sons are admitted to the Buddhist religion by shinbyu.
Politics
Buddhism has played a major role in the development of Burmese politics. Burmese nationalism grew in the 20s and the 30s in the form of an umbrella organisation named the General Council of Burmese Associations (GCBA) supported by the Young Men's Buddhist Associations (YMBA) - fashioned after the YMCA - which started to appear at the turn of the century up and down the country. Civilian governments after the country gained independence patronised Buddhism, devoting large appropriations to fund the maintenance and construction of Buddhist monuments. Leaders of political parties and parliamentarians, notably U Nu, passed legislation influenced by Buddhist teachings. The current military government has been particularly keen to be seen as patrons of Buddhism so much so that it has given rise to a joke, "Burmese TV has only two colours, green and yellow" - meaning green military uniforms and yellow robes or golden pagodas dominate the screen.
Monks have been in the forefront as much as university students in the fight for independence and subsequently for democracy. Two Rakhine monks, U Ottama and U Seida, were leaders of the Wun tha nu (Patriot) Associations during the 1930s, and went on to lead armed resistance against the British. U Wizara became the movement's first martyr when he died in prison from a protracted hunger strike; one of the main thoroughfares in Yangon is named after him. During the 8888 Uprising, monks in their hundreds took part as protesters and spiritual leaders,stepped into the breach to maintain law and order where civil administration had broken down, and hundreds were killed.
The Shwe Dagon has been a popular venue for major mass meetings where both Aung San, demanding independence from Britain, and his daughter Aung San Suu Kyi, demanding democracy from the military regime, had made their famous speeches. It was also the base for the second university strike of 1936.
Aung San Suu Kyi, the charismatic leader of the democracy movement in Burma, is a Buddhist. Since her political conviction is linked with and encouraged by her spirituality, she is considered a socially engaged Buddhist.
External links
"Buddhism in Myanmar"