Myanmar is a large country with a great number of ethic groups practicing different religious beliefs and Buddhism is only one of them. A reading to the country’s spiritual world makes easier for you to understand its people.
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3 Main Beliefs in Myanmar
- The Theravada tradition of Buddhism is practised by over 87% of the population and the government shows the greatest preference.
- The population of Christian has been increasing since 2014 and reaches 7% by 2016, making Christianity the second biggest religious belief in Myanmar.
- Islam, mainly the Sunni group is practiced by almost 4% of the Burmese. All the Islam communities are small in scale and scattering all over the country, expect for the state of Rakhine.
Theravada Buddhism in Myanmar
In terms of the portion of monks and nuns in population and money spent on temples, monasteries and Buddhism academies, Myanmar is the most religious country in Southeast Asia.
As one of the oldest schools of Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism was first brought from Sri Lanka in the 14th century. The decline of Buddhism in India took a toll on this school and missions from Sri Lanka gradually converted it into Theravada Buddhism that is practiced in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, as well as some parts of China.
Simple understandings of Theravada Buddhism:
- The origin of the world: Unlike Christianity or Islam, no explanation of the origins of the world, humanity or original sins is indicated by Theravada teachings. Particularly, in Burmese’ beliefs, the world is presented the way it is all thanks to all different types of nat spirits who co-exist with Buddha and other awaken ones in the Buddhism teachings.
- God/gods: No omnipotent almighty creator in Theravada Buddhism or any school of Buddhism in that matter. Buddha, is no god to be exact. Siddhartha Gautama was born a man and became the Buddha, or known as the awaken one.
- Enlightenment: According to Buddha’s teachings, only by one’s own struggling can one archive ultimate enlightenment. Without any help from God or any other human beings, one may find his way to enlightenment through meditation, concentration or totally monastic life.
- Monastic Life: Every male that practices Buddhism will become a monk at the age of seven or any other age at his will. Being a monk can be a life journey to become the “worthy person”, a.k.a the awaken ones. Monks (or nuns) are bound to the monastic order (the Vinaya) making up of 227 rules (sometimes more for nuns). The most important five precepts will be:
- No harming any living beings
- No sexual misconduct
- No inappropriate speeches such as lying, chatting or harsh words
- No taking anything that is not given freely or willingly
- No intoxicating drinking or drugging
Other Religious Beliefs and Folk Traditions
Although Theravada Buddhism has taken the upper hand, other religious beliefs are still pretty much striving nationwide.
