• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.51-74
• /
• 2009

It has often been said that Myanmar is the most profound Buddhist country in the world. That may well be true, but the brand of Buddhism practised in this isolated land is unique on the face of the globe. Myanmar Buddhism is theoretically Theravada Buddhism, a sect of Buddhism adhering most closely to the Buddha's teachings, and is the dominant form of Buddhism throughout Southeast Asia. The customary law also has an indissoluble connection with Buddhism in the Burmese society. The family customs and law have been put in statutory form with Damathat. And Damathat which is a statute law plays a important role as a mirror of the popular society. In Burmese society, the network which connects an individual and an individual fulfills its more function than the relatives and families act with group. The human relation which is generally completed within home, for example, parents and children, brothers and sisters, husband and wife and so on is situated as a center of the network which spreads outside home also in Burmese society. And Burmese society is 'khin' and 'ana' society. Burmese people positively extend the human relation through the way of thinking of Myanmar language 'khin' translated 'intimate', but they also put on the brakes the extending human relation without ending by keeping its distance through the way of thinking of Myanmar language 'ana' translated 'refuse courteously.'

• Journal of architectural history
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2016

This paper examines the pagodas during the Bagan period, which are thought to be most valuable among those in Myanmar. They have not been sufficiently studied, in spite of their high Buddhist status. It considers the contemplation of Pato, their formal characteristics in the Bagan period and the formal categorizations of pagodas in the same period. Thus, following seven kinds of conclusions are derived: first, researchers provide opinions to the Pato which should be regarded as the Buddhist shrine-type of pagoda with a unique Bagan form, symbolically indicating that Theravada Buddhism incorporated Hinduism; second, the terraces were characteristic components in pagodas, during the Bagan period, which were built after the enthronement of King Anawratha and are thought to symbolically express the wish to widely spread Theravada Buddhism; third, Shwesandaw Zedi seems to affect not only Shwezigon Zedi, a representative standard form of pagoda in Myanmar, but also Ananda Pato; fourth, it is thought to be proper to examine the terraces by classifying them into lower, central(from pedestals to Angryeon and Bokryeon) and upper part, if it intends to divide a pagoda with bell-shaped body on the terraces during the Bagan period, into three parts; fifth, the Pato may be identified as a form of pagoda during the Bagan period, and such a form can be classified as that of Sikhara on the rectangular terrace; sixth, forms of Myanmar's pagodas can be classified into fourteen kinds of them, and they may be also grouped into transmitted, general and special type; and seventh, on the basis of the findings, it is thought that the pagodas during the Bagan period may be classified into six forms, and they can be largely categorized into transmitted, general and special type.

• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.33-49
• /
• 2012

This article uncovers the beginning of the Sudhamma Buddhist order tracing its background history. After ascending the throne, being interested in trying to bring back Buddhism to its ancient strength and prosperity, King Mindon paid fully attention in all the religious affairs like King Asoka. Therefore, the different Sangha associations had emerged in his time. It had grown wider and wider and that brought about many adverse effects. During the time of King Thibaw, to reorganize the Sangha associations, he appointed two Supreme Leaders; one for Sudhamma and one for the Rhwekyan Buddhist Order of Monks. Thus the rise of the term of Sudhamma Buddhist Order of Monks became the most popular among the Theravada Buddhist monks. This article, tracing its history, will answer the question that what about any difference between the Sudhamma Buddhist Order and others especially?

• Journal of architectural history
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.63-78
• /
• 2018

Pagodas in Myanmar can be largely divided into Zedi and Pato. Zedi is a developed form of the early domed pagodas in India and Sri Lanka, which can be found in the introduction of Buddhism in Myanmar and the comparison of early pagodas in India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. On the other hand, Pato is where statues of Buddha were enshrined, which is why many scholars referred to it as a temple. However, this study proposes that Pato shall be referred to as a temple-style pagoda in a form unique to Myanmar, based on the origin of Pato, definition of pagodas, and Sarira Enrichment Record of Pato. Moreover, it seems more appropriate to name this type of structure Stupa Temple(塔殿) or Stupa Shrine(塔堂) rather than a Buddhist temple(佛殿) or Buddhist shrine(佛堂) for clear distinction. Pato, or temple-style pagodas, has a ${\acute{S}}ikhara-style$ structure at the center like Ananda Pato upon entering the Pagan (Bagan) kingdom period, on which Zedi-style structures are built. As a result of examining the integration of various Buddhist schools and religions focused on Theravada during the period of King Anawrahta and King Kyanzittha, the ${\acute{S}}ikhara-style$ structure is a symbolic representation of the fact that Theravada embraced Hinduism. The common features shared by pagodas in Myanmar are the centrality of place and the verticality of $y{\check{a}}ngti{\bar{a}}n$ (looking up to the sky) in terms of shape. All temples are placed at the most important and central space, and their forms represent strong religious $y{\check{a}}ngti{\bar{a}}n$ and verticality. These are the features that stand out most among various pagodas in Buddhist countries.

• The Southeast Asian review
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.43-75
• /
• 2011

The article focuses on the impact and Acceptance of Hindu culture in Modern Southeast Asian Buddhism. The purpose of this study is to examine critically the influential epic Ramayana on Siam culture, Thai Ramayana version 'Ramakien', reveal instances of Buddhist Modification. The Ramayana by the great sage Valmiki is considered by Indians to be the first great literary work to be produced in India. The influence of this work is to be seen not only through centuries but even in other countries, such as Thailand where there are modified modern versions. In this paper, I have three objectives : (1) I may discuss the epic Ramayana of India gave birth to the Ramakien of Thailand. In modern times Valmiki's epic was made to fit the spiritual trends current in the new Chakri dynasty, which were themselves based on Brahmanic tradition and Theravada buddhism. With regarding to the structure of the Traibhumi cosmography, and the relationship between merit and power implied by this cosmography ranks all beings from demons to deities in a hierarchy of merit which accrues according to karma the actions of past lives. (2) I analyze how to have attempted to dissect the Hindi and Thai version of the Ramayana. The Hindu concept of kingship is also depicted in the life of Rama. The Hindus see in Rama the norm of a true Hindu life characterized by the Caste and Dharma. In Thai transformed version, it does not preach Hindu values of personal or social life. The Ramakien emphasized that the Buddhism were higher than all other laws, and that the King is regarded as the incarnation of Phra Ram, and thus is also the narration of the righteous buddhist ruler. (3) I discuss how cultural or social contexts can influence the structure of the royal Wat. The whole epic was painted by the order of Rama I in the galleries of the Wat Phra Keo. In other words, it is the very centre of the dynastic cult enshrining the Emerald Buddha, the most iconic expression of the Ramakien tradition were officially amalgamated. Rama I was continued the process of elaborating and stabilizing the complex religious pattern, with Buddhism at the pinnacle. My finding will support the idea that the Ramakien is particularly appealing to the Thai people because it presents the image of an ideal king, Rama, who symbolizes the force of virtue or dharma while Thotsakan represents the force of evil. Eventually the force of good prevails. Being Buddhists, the Thai poets bring into the story the Buddhist philosophy(especially, the law of cause and effect, karma). This paper examines the role of the Hindu epic Ramayana in the historical and cultural contact between Hindu India and Buddhist Southeast Asia. It should now be possible to evaluate what elements of Hindu culture were transmitted into Thai through the Rama story.

• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.25-46
• /
• 2011

The state-sangha relations in the countries of Theravada Buddhism has often been described as a mutually dependent patron-client relation in which the state and the sangha support each other by performing their due roles. Yet this theory involves a normative dimension that prescribes such a relation as the ideal in the Buddhist world. The explanatory power of this theory hence is hampered in a country where the ideal is not fully realized. In the wake of tumultuous political upheaval where political rivals vie for the state the ideal as well as the theory are put into a trial. The tragic history of modern Cambodia is a history of ceaseless conflict in which multiple contenders for the state had to define their relations with the sangha. The relations defined turned out less mutual than supposed. The state-sangha relations were rather unilaterally dependent. More often than not the sangha was subject to state control with no power to confront the state or coopted only to become a tool for political propaganda and manipulation. The sangha always played the role of client, waiting for the state to define the relation and to be benevolent. Even when the monks were forced to disrobe and when the sangha itself was annihilated, all they did was to wait for another patron state that would put the sangha back in place. The state-sangha relations the Cambodian history reveals were not close to one in which the two parties benefit each other on an equal basis. It was a patron-client relationship in which the client sangha had to be heavily dependent on the patron state. Such a unilaterally dependent relationship is the one that has prevailed in Cambodia.

• SUVANNABHUMI
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.87-104
• /
• 2011

붓다고사(Buddhaghosa)는 불교승려이자 작가로써 상좌부불교에서 가장 뛰어난 승려로 유명하다. 그는 청결을 의미하는 Visudhimagga의 작가로서도 유명한데, 이 작품들은 정전(正典)문학의 백과사전이라 불리고 있으며, 담마의 다양한 보물 컬렉션이라 할 수 있다. 붓다고사는 Visuddhi의 순결함에 도달하기 위해 magga 형식을 설명하고 있고, 불교교리 전체를 조직적으로 설명하고 있다. 붓다고사는 스리랑카어로 쓰여진 atthakathā를 Magadyhi(빨리어)로 변역했다. 이러한 업적으로 그는 명예를 얻었고, 이 작품은 상좌부불교(Theravāda)를 연구하는 학자들 사이에서 신성한 텍스트로 여겨졌다. 최초의 붓다고사에 관한 전기문은 6세기에 쓰여진 Mahavamsa에 나타난다. 마하밤사에 따르면, 그는 큰 보리수가 있는 인도 마가다국에서 브라만으로 태어났다고 전해진다. 그러나 Buddhaghosa의 atthakathā를 연구한 Kosanbi박사는 붓다고사는 북인도로부터 온 인물은 아니라고 보았으며, 붓다고사가 미얀마 사람일지도 모른다고 추정했다. 그 이유는 다수의 atthakathā가 미얀마에서 발견되었기 때문이다. 미얀마뿐만 아니라, 태국 그리고 캄보디아 역시 붓다고사가 자국인이라고 주장하고 있다. 5세기부터 더 나아가 11세기 중반까지 하(下) 미얀마의 고대 쀼왕국에서 불교가 매우 번성했다는 지속적인 기록이 있다. 이는 5세기에 붓다고사 전설과 함께 불교를 활성화시켰으며, 상좌부불교와 관련된 조각품들과 비문을 연구하는데 반영되었다. 붓다고사의 자타카 해설은 붓다의 역사적 탄생을 다루고 있으며, 미얀마의 모든 청소년에게 오랫동안 교육자료로 활용되어 왔다. 또한 자타카 해설은 비석에서 중요한 부분을 차지하고 있으며, 테라코타 부조나 11세기와 12세기의 버간사원의 벽화에서도 사용된다. 이처럼 미얀마에서 비석과 테라코타 부조, 그리고 수많은 벽화들이 발견되는 것을 통해 붓다고사가 미얀마 출신이었다는 것을 확인할 수 있다.