| Development in Burma | | | | Development in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos |
| In Burma, Buddhism reached its golden era in the reign | | | | From ruins and art-objects, it is evident that Buddhism |
| of King Anurudh (or Anawrata; B.E. 1588 -1621 or 1044 | | | | must have been introduced into the great kingdom of |
| - 1077 C.E.), when Burma was first united into one | | | | Founan (modern Cambodia) at least by the 10th |
| country and its capital city of Pagan became a great | | | | century after the Buddha (5th century C.E.). However, |
| centre of Buddhist culture. After the end of the Mongol | | | | little is known about this early period, except that soon |
| occupation under Kublai Khan (from B.E. 1831 to 1845; | | | | after this time it lost ground to Hinduism which |
| 1287 - 1301 C.E.), Buddhism flourished again under King | | | | flourished under a series of Hindu rulers* from about |
| Dhammaceti (B.E. 2004 - 2035; or 1460 - 1491 C.E.). | | | | the 7th to the 18th century after the Buddha (2nd - |
| During the next centuries, Burmese Buddhism | | | | 13th century C.E.). During this Brahmanical period, |
| contributed much to the stability and progress of | | | | Mahayana Buddhism was found existing side by side |
| Buddhism. Some monks came from Ceylon to be | | | | with Hinduism, and sometime before the end of this |
| reordained and took the ordination procedure back to | | | | period gained ground over Hinduism. The great king |
| their country. The study of Abhidhamma flourished. Pali | | | | who first upheld Buddhism was Yasovarman who |
| texts were translated into Burmese and a great | | | | reigned in the 15th century B.E. (9th century C.E.). |
| number of Pali scriptures and books on Buddhism | | | | Three centuries later the ancient kingdom of Founan |
| were written by Burmese scholars. A council called the | | | | was at its height of power and prosperity under |
| Fifth Great Council was held in Mandalay under King | | | | Jayavarman VII who reigned from B.E. 1724 to 1763 |
| Mindon in B.E. 2415 (1871 C.E.) and the | | | | (1181-1220 C.E.). Jayavarman was a devoted Buddhist. |
| Tipitฺaka was inscribed on 729 marble | | | | Trying to follow the Buddhist ideal of the righteous king, |
| slabs enshrined at the foot of Mandalay Hill. | | | | he built numerous roads, 121 resthouses, and 102 |
| The British rule from B.E. 2430 to 2492 (1886 - 1948 | | | | hospitals and did other meritorious deeds. The next |
| C.E.) caused in the Burmese a strong feeling of | | | | century saw the independence of the Thais. To this |
| nationalism which combined political independence with | | | | there was a royal reaction away from Buddhism back |
| the protection of the national religion. After the | | | | to orthodox Hinduism. |
| independence, national and religious leaders were very | | | | After the 18th century B.E., however, through the |
| active in supporting and encouraging the Buddhist | | | | influence of the reform of Buddhism in Ceylon during |
| causes and activities. In B.E. 2498 (1954 C.E.) the | | | | the reign of Parakramabahu I the Great, Theravada |
| Burmese government in cooperation with the Burmese | | | | Buddhism returned, first through Thailand and then |
| Sangha invited representatives of all neighbouring, | | | | directly from Ceylon. Within the next two centuries, it |
| Buddhist countries and of Buddhist groups in various | | | | replaced Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism and |
| countries to participate in the Sixth Great Council which | | | | became the national religion of Cambodia. As in |
| met in Rangoon to recite and revise the text of the | | | | Thailand, traces of Hinduism can be found today only in |
| Pali scriptures and to celebrate the 2500th anniversary | | | | public ceremonies and customs. |
| of the Great Demise of the Buddha. | | | | |