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After the conquest of China, Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty and the fifth Khagan (Great Khan) of the Mongol Empire, invaded the Pagan Kingdom of Burma in 1277, 1283 and 1287.<br/><br/> Bagan, formerly Pagan, was mainly built between the 11th century and 13th century. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma.
After the conquest of China, Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty and the fifth Khagan (Great Khan) of the Mongol Empire, invaded the Pagan Kingdom of Burma in 1277, 1283 and 1287.<br/><br/> Bagan, formerly Pagan, was mainly built between the 11th century and 13th century. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana (the City of the Enemy Crusher) and also known as Tambadipa (the Land of Copper) or Tassadessa (the Parched Land), it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma.
The 61m-high Thatbyinnyu temple was built as a Buddhist monastery (vihara) in 1144 during the reign of King Alaungsithu. It is adjacent to Ananda Temple.<br/><br/>Thatbyinnyu Temple is shaped like a cross, but is not symmetrical. The temple has two primary storeys, with the seated Buddha image located on the second storey.<br/><br/>The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire.<br/><br/>It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/>In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms.<br/><br/>Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tipiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154.<br/><br/>In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
Perhaps the highest revered temple in Bagan, the Ananda Pagoda was built in 1105 CE during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084–1113) of the Bagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving original temples of Bagan (also called Pagan). The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella (‘hti’).<br/><br/> The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas—facing east, north, west and south. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian styles of architecture. It was damaged in the earthquake of 1975. However, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls. On the occasion of 900th anniversary of its construction celebrated in 1990 the temple spires were gilded.
Perhaps the highest revered temple in Bagan, the Ananda Pagoda was built in 1105 CE during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084–1113) of the Bagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving original temples of Bagan (also called Pagan). The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella (‘hti’).<br/><br/> The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas—facing east, north, west and south. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian styles of architecture. It was damaged in the earthquake of 1975. However, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls. On the occasion of 900th anniversary of its construction celebrated in 1990 the temple spires were gilded.
Perhaps the highest revered temple in Bagan, the Ananda Pagoda was built in 1105 AD during the reign of King Kyanzittha (1084–1113) of the Bagan Dynasty. It is one of four surviving original temples of Bagan (also called Pagan). The temple layout is in a cruciform with several terraces leading to a small pagoda at the top covered by an umbrella (‘hti’).<br/><br/> The Buddhist temple houses four standing Buddhas—facing east, north, west and south. The temple is said to be an architectural wonder in a fusion of Mon and adopted Indian styles of architecture.<br/><br/> It was damaged in the earthquake of 1975. However, it has been fully restored and is well maintained by frequent painting and whitewashing of the walls. On the occasion of the 900th anniversary of its construction celebrated in 1990 the temple spires were gilded.
The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> Construction of the Gawdawpalin Pagoda began during the reign of King Narapatisithu (1173–1210) and was completed during the reign of Htilominlo (1210-34). Gawdawpalin Temple is the second tallest temple in Bagan and is similar in layout to Thatbyinnyu Temple. Gawdawpalin Temple is two storeys tall, and contains three lower terraces and four upper terraces. The temple was heavily damaged during an earthquake in 1975 and was reconstructed in following years.
The 61m-high Thatbyinnyu temple was built as a Buddhist monastery (vihara) in 1144 during the reign of King Alaungsithu. It is adjacent to Ananda Temple. Thatbyinnyu Temple is shaped like a cross, but is not symmetrical. The temple has two primary storeys, with the seated Buddha image located on the second storey.<br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tipiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
The 61m-high Thatbyinnyu temple was built as a Buddhist monastery (vihara) in 1144 during the reign of King Alaungsithu. It is adjacent to Ananda Temple.<br/><br/> Thatbyinnyu Temple is shaped like a cross, but is not symmetrical. The temple has two primary storeys, with the seated Buddha image located on the second storey.<br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire.<br/><br/> It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms.<br/><br/> Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tipiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154.<br/><br/> In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
Construction of the Gawdawpalin Pagoda began during the reign of King Narapatisithu (1173–1210) and was completed during the reign of Htilominlo (1210-34).<br/><br/> Gawdawpalin Temple is the second tallest temple in Bagan and is similar in layout to Thatbyinnyu Temple. Gawdawpalin Temple is two storeys tall, and contains three lower terraces and four upper terraces. The temple was heavily damaged during an earthquake in 1975 and was reconstructed in following years.<br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire.<br/><br/> It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.
The Bitagat Taik library was built in 1058 and restored in 1783.<br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka (Tipitaka) Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tripiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka (Tipitaka) Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tripiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
Mingalazedi Pagoda was built in 1284 during the reign of King Narathihapate. The pagoda is one of the few temples in Bagan with a full set of glazed terracotta tiles depicting the ‘Jataka’—an ancient Pali book of verses related to the previous births of the Buddha.<br/><br/> The pagoda was built in brick and contains several terraces leading to a large pot-shaped stupa at its centre, topped by a bejewelled umbrella (hti). Mingalazedi Pagoda was built a few years before the First Burmese Empire (Pagan Kingdom) was pillaged by the Mongols in 1287. <br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.
Manuha Temple is a Buddhist temple built in Myinkaba (located near Bagan), by King Manuha, the last Talaing king, in 1059-67. It is a rectangular building of two storeys. The building contains three images of seated Buddhas and an image of Buddha entering Nirvana. Manuha Temple is one of the oldest temples in Bagan.<br/><br/> The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka (Tipitaka) Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tripiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka (Tipitaka) Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tripiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
The ruins of Bagan (also spelled Pagan) cover an area of 16 square miles (41 km2). The majority of its buildings were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. It was not until King Pyinbya moved the capital to Bagan in 874 CE that it became a major city. However, in Burmese tradition, the capital shifted with each reign, and thus Bagan was once again abandoned until the reign of King Anawrahta who, in 1057, conquered the Mon capital of Thaton, and brought back the Tripitaka (Tipitaka) Pali scriptures, Buddhist monks and craftsmen to help transform Bagan into a religious and cultural centre. With the help of a monk from Lower Burma, Anawrahta made Theravada Buddhism the state religion.<br/><br/> In the 12th and 13th centuries, Bagan became a truly cosmopolitan centre of Buddhist studies, attracting monks and students from as far as India, Sri Lanka as well as the Siamese and Khmer kingdoms. Among many other works, Aggavaṃsa's influential ‘Saddaniti,’ a grammar of the language of the Tripiṭaka, would be completed there in 1154. In 1287, the kingdom fell to the Mongols, after refusing to pay tribute to Kublai Khan. Abandoned by the Burmese king and perhaps sacked by the Mongols, the city declined as a political centre, but continued to flourish as a place of Buddhist scholarship.
Built by King Nantaungmya (r.1211-34) in the 12th century CE, the Mahabodhi temple in Bagan was modeled after the famous Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar State, India, which commemorates the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment.<br/><br/> Bagan's pagoda features a pyramidal spire, covered in niches which enclose seated Buddha figures, rising from a square block. This monument is different from the common bell-shaped ones in Bagan. The lower section of Bagan's Mahabodhi is a quadrangular block supporting the pyramidal structure. The temple was destroyed during the 1975 earthquake, and was repaired in the following years.
The British conquest of Burma began in 1824 in response to a Burmese attempt to invade India. By 1886, and after two further wars, Britain had incorporated the entire country into the British Raj.<br/><br/> To stimulate trade and facilitate changes, the British brought in Indians and Chinese, who quickly displaced the Burmese in urban areas. To this day Rangoon and Mandalay have large ethnic Indian populations. Railways and schools were built, as well as a large number of prisons, including the infamous Insein Prison, then and now used for political prisoners. Burmese resentment was strong and was vented in violent riots that paralysed Rangoon on occasion all the way until the 1930s.<br/><br/> Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. Burma finally gained independence from Britain on Jan. 4, 1948.
The British conquest of Burma began in 1824 in response to a Burmese attempt to invade India. By 1886, and after two further wars, Britain had incorporated the entire country into the British Raj.<br/><br/> To stimulate trade and facilitate changes, the British brought in Indians and Chinese, who quickly displaced the Burmese in urban areas. To this day Rangoon and Mandalay have large ethnic Indian populations. Railways and schools were built, as well as a large number of prisons, including the infamous Insein Prison, then and now used for political prisoners. Burmese resentment was strong and was vented in violent riots that paralysed Rangoon on occasion all the way until the 1930s.<br/><br/> Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. Burma finally gained independence from Britain on Jan. 4, 1948.
The Burmese city of Monywa is in Sagaing Division, located 136 km northwest of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the 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.
The Burmese city of Monywa is in Sagaing Division, located 136 km northwest of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BC when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the 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.
Sagaing is the capital of Sagaing Region (formerly Sagaing Division) in Burma, which is also known as Myanmar. Located on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River, 20 km to the southwest of Mandalay, Sagaing with numerous Buddhist monasteries is an important religious and monastic center. The pagodas and monasteries crowd the hills along the ridge running parallel to the river. The central pagoda, Soon U Ponya Shin Pagoda, is connected by a set of covered staircases that run up the 240 m hill.<br/><br/> Sagaing was the capital of Sagaing Kingdom (1315–1364), one of the minor kingdoms that rose up after the fall of the Pagan dynasty. During the Ava period (1364–1555), the city was the common fief of the crown prince or senior princes. The city briefly became the royal capital between 1760 and 1763 in the reign of King Naungdawgyi.
Ava was capital of Burma from 1364 to 1841 and was founded by King Thadominbya on an artificial island at the confluence of the Irrawaddy and the Myitnge created by digging a canal linking the two rivers. Prior to this, Sagaing had been capital, but after Sagaing fell to the Shan, the court moved across the river to Ava.<br/><br/> The culture of Pagan was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defensible borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527.<br/><br/> Following the British conquest of Lower Burma after the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–53), Upper Burma was commonly called the Kingdom of Ava or the Court of Ava. During the reign of King Bodawpaya (r.1781–1819), the capital was moved to nearby Amarapura. However, his successor, King Bagyidaw (r.1819–37), moved the court back to Ava in 1823. When a tremendous earthquake caused extensive damage in 1841, Ava was finally abandoned for Amarapura. Little remains of the ancient capital today.
Ava was capital of Burma from 1364 to 1841 and was founded by King Thadominbya on an artificial island at the confluence of the Irrawaddy and the Myitnge created by digging a canal linking the two rivers. Prior to this, Sagaing had been capital, but after Sagaing fell to the Shan, the court moved across the river to Ava.<br/><br/> The culture of Pagan was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defensible borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527.<br/><br/> Following the British conquest of Lower Burma after the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–53), Upper Burma was commonly called the Kingdom of Ava or the Court of Ava. During the reign of King Bodawpaya (r.1781–1819), the capital was moved to nearby Amarapura. However, his successor, King Bagyidaw (r.1819–37), moved the court back to Ava in 1823. When a tremendous earthquake caused extensive damage in 1841, Ava was finally abandoned for Amarapura. Little remains of the ancient capital today.
Ava was capital of Burma from 1364 to 1841 and was founded by King Thadominbya on an artificial island at the confluence of the Irrawaddy and the Myitnge created by digging a canal linking the two rivers. Prior to this, Sagaing had been capital, but after Sagaing fell to the Shan, the court moved across the river to Ava.<br/><br/> The culture of Pagan was revived and a great age of Burmese literature ensued. The kingdom lacked easily defensible borders, however, and was overrun by the Shan in 1527.<br/><br/> Following the British conquest of Lower Burma after the Second Anglo-Burmese War (1852–53), Upper Burma was commonly called the Kingdom of Ava or the Court of Ava. During the reign of King Bodawpaya (r.1781–1819), the capital was moved to nearby Amarapura. However, his successor, King Bagyidaw (r.1819–37), moved the court back to Ava in 1823. When a tremendous earthquake caused extensive damage in 1841, Ava was finally abandoned for Amarapura. Little remains of the ancient capital today.
The Burmese city of Monywa is in Sagaing Division, located 136 km northwest of Mandalay on the eastern bank of the River Chindwin.<br/><br/> Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira, one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India, came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However, the 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.