Introduction to Buddhism

“Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa”
“Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One”

Sharing Merits

‘Sharing Merits’ is always a pleasant act to do whenever we do meritorious deeds. The verses for the purpose are given after ‘Loving-kindness’. When Parittas and taught of Buddha are chanted in sonorous tones and listened to with devotional faith, the immediate benefits they bring are serenity, calm, peacefulness and joy. Generations have enjoyed these benefits and many others Parittas, Metta and taught of Buddha for many years. These benefits are for us too if we chant, listen to and practice them in a correct way. May all beings enjoy the benefits of Parittas and Metta as well as taught of Buddha following the instructions of a certain learning centre. “ …. Oh monks, when you have gone into a forest, to a

 foot of a tree or a secluded place, and if fear, trembling or terror should arise in you, just remember me at that time:

“Because of the Blessed One is called Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One, One Fully Endowed with Vision and Conduct, One Who has Gone Rightly, the Knower of the World, the Incomparable Leader of Men to be Tamed, the Teacher of Gods and Men, the Enlightened and the Blessed One.”

~The BUDHA, Dhajagga Sutta~

Buddhism in Myanmar

Buddhism in Myanmar is energetic. As a Myanmar Buddhist, he must be faithful in the Three Gems – Buddha, the law and the order of the monks. Although Myanmar could not afford to spend sums of money, at Kaba Aye Sixth Buddhist Synod was held to collect, collate and edit the Buddha’s scriptures from 1954 to 1956 at Kaba Aye in commemoration of the 2500th anniversary of the death of Buddha in 544 BC.

In Myanmar, the numerous Buddhist shrines are standing side by side in cities, villages or in remote areas.

Early chief of Bagan, Nyaung Oo Sawrahan (610-640 AD) attributed the introduction of the present Myanmar Era starting in 638 AD. Bagan was a hinterland compared with Pyay or Thahton. Still, northern India influenced not only along the coast in Arakan but also penetrated overland through Assam to Bagan in fifth century, bringing Mahayanism and architecture of the Kyaukgu Oo Min near Bagan.

The Mahayanism thus introduced was a low type; indeed Myanmar chroniclers will not face the fact that it is Buddhism at all.

But the teaching of the ‘Ari Gyi’ monk hood, who held sway for many generations down to the eleventh century. In upper Myanmar, it is distinctly recognizable as one of the developments of Tibetan Buddhism.

When King Anawrahta (1044-1077 AD) had waited for the monk who will help him, Shin Arahan, one of the monks from Thaton came to Bagan. And then the power of ‘Ari Gyi’ was totally fallen down.

In Mandalay, King Mindon arranged to hold the fifth Buddhist Synod.

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