Sanskrit buddhism in burma

So in sri lanka, paali is written in sinhalese script, in burma it is burmese script, in thailand thai script and in cambodia the khmer script. Oct 26, 2017 theravada is the dominant school of buddhism in burma, cambodia, laos, thailand and sri lanka, and it has more than 100 million followers worldwide. Brahma is part of hindu trinity, a deity with four heads. Written in the eleventh or twelfth century by a monk whom we might as well keep calling saddhammaghosa. From prehistoric time, burma attracted various races from different directions. Theravada, like all other buddhist schools, claims to adhere most closely to the original doctrines and practices taught by the buddha. The mahayana school still uses knowledge ofkundalini and the chakras in its teachings, other topics that are traced to the vedic system. Mahayana buddhism in burma was out of the question, as my researches led me to infer that the sarvastivada was also at one time prevalent in burma, as also tantrayana and mantrayana. Theravada buddhism school of the elders is the oldest and purest form of original buddhism. According to both the 2014 census of the burmese government buddhism is the dominant religion, of 88% of the population. Timeline of buddhism in world history it isnt always easy to understand the circumstances surrounding the buddhas teachings. Buddhism had been the state religion of burma beginning with the kingdom of pakan in 1044, and was briefly reinstated as the state religion under prime minister u nu in 1961 until the military coup in 1962.

As india is a close neighbor, hinduism has had a regional. With about 470 million followers, scholars consider buddhism one of the major. You may print out a copy of the application form from this buddhism internet web page or obtain the application form from the registrar, international theravada buddhist university at the above address or from one of the myanmars embassies or consulates in the following countries. Burma country of buddha statues, monasteries, stupas. Myanmar, or burma as the nation has been known throughout history, is one of the major countries following theravada buddhism. Theravada buddhism was practiced in pockets of southern burma since about the 6th century ce. Buddhist hybrid sanskrit bhs is a modern linguistic category applied to the language used in a class of indian buddhist texts, such as the perfection of wisdom sutras. The university of the west is engaged in a groundbreaking project to gather, digitize and distribute the original sanskrit scriptures of the buddhist faith. Sanskrit buddhist literature refers to buddhist texts composed either in classical sanskrit, in a register that has been called buddhist hybrid sanskrit bhs, or a mixture of the two. Southeast asia research guide buddhism in southeast asia search this guide search.

Fertile plains of irawadi and chindwin river attracted them more than northeast india. We know it only from larger or smaller fragments of its udanavarga, dharmapada, ekottaragama and madhyamagama which have been discovered from the xylographs and manuscripts recovered from eastern. The popularisation of buddhist practice in burma 26 2. Burmese hindus are a mix of bengalis, tamils, telegus, and uttar pradeshis who arrived in burma under british colonialism. The choice lay therefore between adopting either northern buddhism or sanskrit buddhism. The digital sanskrit buddhist canon vajrayana sanskrit. Around 89% of total population follows buddhism in burma. These direct teachings that buddha gave are for those who have a special kind of confidence. The study of sanskrit buddhist texts continues to the present day, and much importance is placed upon them for mahayana buddhists who look to india as. Southeast asia research guide buddhism in southeast asia. The registrar, international theravada buddhist university, dhammapala hill, mayangone p.

Sanskrit is apparently written as a liturgical language in the modern burmese script by buddhist monks although less commonly than pali, and this really fascinates me, especially since ive planned to learn a little burmese in the future. Those who passed at least the matriculation or equivalent with some knowledge of pali or sanskrit and theravada buddhist scriptures are qualified to apply for the diploma in buddha dhamma. School of oriental and african studies london university, 1990. Burma and buddhism burma also known as myanmar4 is situated in the southeast asia region and neighbors thailand, laos, china, bangladesh, and india. When you visit myanmar, you will not miss the sight and sound of people from all walks of life paying respect to the statue of the buddha out of genuine admiration. The decline of buddhism in the indian subcontinent refers to a gradual process of dwindling and replacement of buddhism in india, which ended around the 12th century. It describes the history of digital sanskrit buddhist canon project, its prospects and future. Further, terracotta tablets bearing sanskrit legends have been found at pagan and tagaung.

Where sanskrit buddhist terms such as dharma are well established in english, i use these in preference to burmese or pali. Sanskrit for the three baskets or collections of buddhist scriptures. Burma is the british colonial officials phonetic equivalent for the first half of brahma desha, the ancient name of the region. Its population of approximately fortyseven million as of the year 2000 is comprised of more than one hundred nationalities, the largest of which include the majority bamar or ethnic burmans, the rakhine arakanese, the shan, the kayin karen, and the mon. It appears that the pali used in early buddhist scriptures, followed in theravada buddhism practiced in sri lanka, myanmar, thailand, laos, and cambodia, has many features common to. Contents acknowledgments 4 a note on burmese transcription 5 a note on pali loanwords 6 introduction 9 i. Ssbu at present offers ma degree programmes and phd degree programmes. It is sometimes called buddhist sanskrit or mixed sanskrit. How buddhism was brought to burma of thrangu rinpoche. Much of the burmese art has been left unexplored since the nations military rule and this has made the artifacts of buddhism like buddha statues and buddha images very popular in. Contests the notion that reforms of the sangha in burma served economic ends. Burma is known all over the world for their unique buddhist tradition and rituals as well as largest numbers of buddhist temples and monasteries, pagodas and stupa.

The lineage of theravada bhikkhunis died in 456 ce, and theravada buddhism is the dominant form of buddhism in southeast asia in particular, burma, laos, cambodia, thailand, and sri lanka. Buddhism has two main branches, mahayana and theravada buddhism. Southeast asia, buddhist art inthe earliest buddhist art in southeast asia dates to about the sixth century c. We have come to know through our understanding of buddhist history that an enormous amount of buddhist literature was created in sanskrit, beginning right after the buddhas mahaparinirvana, continuing up to the 12th century ad in india. With the military coup of 1962, about 1 million indians were forced out of burma, but some remained, mostly in yangon rangoon, mandalay, and in the bago district.

Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Sanskrit buddhist canon 7 of this sanskrit canon no complete copy is to be found. The title of the dissertation, sanskrit buddhism in burma, requires a word of explanation. Vipassana is the most commonly known practice of theravada buddhism. One of the four primary classes of buddhist disciples, the. Occupying the center is the pali textual tradition with its beliefs, practices, and institutions as interpreted by the burmese theravada sa. With buddhism closely affiliated with burmese identity, particularly burman identity, nationalism took on specific buddhist associations. The author demonstrates a remarkable continuity among traditions focused on upagupta in ancient sarvastivadin sanskrit materials, key pali texts.

This is the type of buddhism that is most known and followed by the largest number of people. The mahayana school still uses knowledge of kundalini and the chakras in its teachings, other topics that are traced to the vedic system. The king held a special position as sacred leader claiming direct descent from buddha, and relying on the monks sangha for. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Buddhism in burma is not only famous for its unique history and culture, the buddhist art from burma is equally famous all over the world for their sheer uniqueness. Kshatriya aryan adventurers from india were the first group to give a civilization to this land. These are all countries with strong male monastic sanghas, but women may only be novices, and in thailand, not even that. Decline of buddhism in the indian subcontinent wikipedia. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Hey there r burma ive been studying sanskrit lately in devanagari, but ive recently been interested in transcribing it in other writing systems. Hinduism, along with buddhism, arrived in burma during ancient times.

For a discussion of the early history of the transmission of this literature in burma and mainland southeast asia, and its relationship with indian and insular southeast asian legalliterary traditions, see lammerts, dietrich christian, buddhism and written law. It was presented in ebti and cbeta conference organized by dharma drum college, taipei in the year 2007. It was in 1824 that the british diplomat brian hodgson found numerous sanskrit buddhist manuscripts there. Myanmar buddhist myanmar buddha buddhism in myanmar. Glossary of buddhist terms prison mindfulness institute. Buddhism in myanmar combines several key elements from its variegated past to produce a unique form of theravada orthodoxy. These sculptures, primarily buddha images, show close stylistic and iconographical relationships with indian images. In burma, approximately 89% of the population adheres totheravada buddhism see our buddha statues. Dhammasattha manuscripts and texts in premodern burma ph. You will also come across people chanting their prayers as though the buddha can grant their wishes. Throughout the world, myanmar is known as one of the major countries following theravada buddhism.

Buddhism in burma and assam suvaco bhikkhu thailand. Sanskrit and pali were the court languages from prehistoric time, burma attracted various races from different directions. The southern, theravadin, prevails in the south of asia, sri lanka, burma and thailand. Hindus in myanmar are the least discriminated against minority religion in myanmar,probably because buddhism had some roots in it. According to lars fogelin, this was not a singular event, with a singular cause. Occupying the centre is the pali textual tradition with its beliefs, practices, and institutions as interpreted by the burmese theravada sa.

The principal texts of the canon of the mulasarvastivadis this is the designation of the sanskrit canon according to tradition were translated from sanskrit into chinese in 700712 by the chinese pilgrim itsing. The site of an old capital city of myanmar, pagan is a pilgrimage centre and contains ancient buddhist shrines that. Adherents are most likely found among the dominant bamar people, shan, rakhine, mon, karen. It includes chan, zen, buddhist tantra, vajrayana, and dzog chen. It seems sanskrit buddhism still retained its heavily brahmanized form in india until its final demise. Though mahayana buddhism and tantric buddhism became popular in the later period of history in burma, theravadas stronghold has been very firm. Buddhas teachings described as the diamond way sanskrit. Burma is the british colonial officials phonetic equivalent for the first half of brahma desha the ancient name of the region. It was not until king anawrahta ascended the throne in 1044, however, that shin arahan, a charismatic mon monk from southern burma, convinced the new monarch to establish a more strictly theravadin expression of buddhism for the entire kingdom. The form of buddhism that developed elsewhere in asia is called mahayana. Changing buddhist practice in burma in early burmese state polities buddhist practices among the laity focused on materially supporting monks, listening to their preaching and observing buddhist moral precepts. A large number of inscriptions discovered in different parts of malaysia are written in sanskrit and show that buddhism was already flourishing in this part of asia at this time.

From this it can be seen that these buddhist monks travelled to many strange countries without any financial support, facing many hardships during their journeys. Traditionally myanmar claims that buddhism arrived in there by land and by sea at least five times. There is no official state religion, but the government shows preference for theravada buddhism, the majority religion of the nation. Theravada pali for the teaching of the elders, the form of buddhism dominant in sri lanka, burma, thailand, laos, and cambodia. Ari buddhism or the ari gaing is the name given to the religious practice common in burma. It is the most religious buddhist country in terms of the proportion of monks in the population and proportion of income spent on religion. Sanskrit buddhism in burma by niharranjan ray author and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The standing buddha in myanmar is associated with travelling and with leaving. The most remarkable fact, however, is the existence in the burmese language of words importing terms in religion, mythology, science and social life, which. Introduction and history of buddhism burmese art in burma. What events spiritual, philosophical and political were unfolding at the birth and spread of the dharma.

They understand that they can only perceive perfection outside because they have the same innate perfection inside. Everyone must therefore use their own power to try to reach. About the book this book attempts to explain one of the many aspects of the culture complex of early indoburmese history. The sacred scriptures of hinduism and also of mahayana and vajrayana buddhism were composed in sanskrit, while the tipi. Source for information on southeast asia, buddhist art in. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. These chapters begin with the early texts which have survived from. Pali and buddhism pali is considered to be one of the dialects of middle indoaryan. Ray, niharranjan, 1936, sanskrit buddhism in burma amsterdam, h. The following buddhist terms are mainly based on the foguang dacidian. Email citation traces indian influence in early burma, much in the spirit of the greater india school of indian historiography. The digital sanskrit buddhist canon free download as powerpoint presentation. Sanskrit buddhism was lost in india, but preserved in the kathmandu valley in nepal.

The delta lands were not even called burma then, and the mons or talaings were the inhabitants, to the complete exclusion of the burmese proper. The modern state of myanmar, also known as burma, is geographically the largest and westernmost country of mainland southeast asia. Oxford is the first buddhist university established in shan state, myanmar. Takakusu, a record of buddhist religion by itsing, translated, oxford 1896, p. It occupies approximately 261,552 square miles and, in 2000, has a population of about 47. Book from the archaeological survey of indiacentral archaeological library, new delhibook number. Historians believe the cilatas or kiratas also mentioned by ptolemy and in sanskrit literature to be identical to the mon populations of lower myanmar.

Buddhism is a religion that was founded by siddhartha gautama the buddha more than 2,500 years ago in india. The earliest evidence of buddhism in the southeast asian nation is some inscriptions written in pali from around 5th century ad. It is located around serene hills which only takes about ten minutes by car from downtown of taunggyi, the capital of shan state. Way of the elders major form of buddhism prevalent in sri lanka ceylon, myanmar burma, thailand, cambodia, and laos. The buddhist monk upagupta, who preached and taught meditative practices in northwest india over two thousand years ago, is venerated today by the laity in parts of burma, thailand, and laos as a proctective figure endowed with magical powers. Several nonmahayana nikayas appear to have kept their canons in sanskrit, most prominent among which was the sarvastivada. Buddha wouldve been born into a hindu culture just the way christ was born into judaism. Study 49 terms religion buddhism flashcards quizlet. Although buddhism disappeared from its indian homeland about eight centuries ago, many of its sacred texts are still preserved in nepal. A series of epigraphic records in pali, sanskrit, pyu and mon datable to the 6th and 7th centuries, has been recovered from central and lower. Sanskrit means polished or refined and is the name of the classical language of india. The decline of buddhism has been attributed to various factors, especially the regionalisation of india after the. As buddhism flourished, the hinayana spread through the south in ceylan, burma, and thailand, while the mahayana spread to the north and east and is now found primarily in tibet, china, and japan.

In recent years myanmar has attained special eminence as the host for the sixth buddhist council, held in yangon rangoon between 1954 and 1956, and as the source from which two of the major systems of vipassana meditation have emanated out into the greater. Pagan, village, central myanmar burma, situated on the left bank of the irrawaddy river and approximately 90 miles 145 km southwest of mandalay. Vedic roots of buddhism sanskriti hinduism and indian. Shan state buddhist university ssbu founded in 2014 by ven.