CIA Archives: Buddhism in Burma - History, Politics and Culture

Video Description :
thefilmarchive.org Buddhism Burma ( Myanmar) predominantly Theravada tradition, practised 89% country' population It religious Buddhist country terms proportion monks population proportion income spent religion. Adherents dominant ethnic Bamar ( Burmans), Shan, Rakhine (Arakanese), Mon, Karen, Chinese integrated Burmese society. Monks, collectively Sangha, venerated members Burmese society. Among ethnic groups Myanmar, including Bamar Shan, Theravada Buddhism practiced conjunction nat worship, involves placation spirits intercede worldly affairs. With regard "salvation" Buddhist sense, primary paths Burmese Buddhism: merit-making, vipassana (insight meditation), weizza path ( esoteric form Buddhism involves occult). Merit-making common path undertaken Burmese Buddhists. This path involves observance Five Precepts accumulation good merit charity good deeds (dana) order obtain favorable rebirth. The vipassana path, gained ground early 1900s, form insight meditation believed lead enlightenment. The common route, weizza path, esoteric system occult practices ( recitation spells, samatha meditation <>...</>