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Burma / Myanmar: A high-ranking Burmese gentleman, followed by his family, leaves a Buddhist temple, c.1892-96.

Burma / Myanmar: A high-ranking Burmese gentleman, followed by his family, leaves a Buddhist temple, c.1892-96.

Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sonna and Uttara, two ambassadors of the Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with sacred texts. However, the golden era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today, 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.