BUDDHISM IN THE LATE KONBAUNG PERIOD(1819-1885) PhD DISSERTATION KO KO NAING DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY UNIVERSITY OF MANDALAY MYANMAR JUNE, 2010 BUDDHISM IN THE LATE KONBAUNG PERIOD(1819-1885) University of Mandalay BUDDHISM IN THE LATE KONBAUNG PERIOD(1819-1885) A Dissertation Submitted to the University of Mandalay In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in History Department of History Ko Ko Naing 4 PhD(R)-Hist-22 Mandalay, Myanmar June, 2010 ABSTRACT This paper is an analysis of Buddhism in the late Konbaung Period. How Buddhism was introduced into Myanmar is discussed. How the Myanmars professed a mixture of Buddhism and their traditional beliefs is explained. Among the seven kings who supported the Religion in Myanmar, two—Kings Badon and Mindon—reigned in the late Konbaung Period. King Badon’s personal views and progressive ideas concerning the Religion are touched upon. How the kings purified the Religion partly to facilitate their rule is discussed. The monks formed separate sects in the late Konbaung period even though they did not differ from one another in robes, literature, doctrine or goal. However, the kings’ support was important for a sect to stand on its own. In the late Konbaung Period, the Fifth Buddhist Synod, which was the first Buddhist Synod held in Myanmar, was convened. That the Buddhist synod convened by King Mindon was not necessary for the Religion and that he convened it only to defy the British who had annexed Lower Myanmar and to assume the title Pyinsama Thangayanatin Mintaya (the Convener of the Fifth Buddhist Synod) are discussed. It is also learnt that the Thathanabyu Thathanazaunt Committee which had to work together with the king had to carry out not only the tasks concerning the Religion, but also those involving politics and administration if ordered by the king. Therefore, although the Fifth Buddhist Synod was convened and the number of monks and that of religious buildings increased in the late Konbaung period, both the king and his subjects were unable to free themselves from their traditional beliefs; they still had faith in spirit worship, astrology and occult arts. Of the three sasana—pariyatti, patipatti and pativedha, they attached much importance to pariyatti. It can be assumed that Buddhism would not prosper satisfactorily so long as the people did not change their basic belief concerning the Religion. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract iv List of Appendices vi Abbreviations vii Glossary xvii Introduction xxi Chapters 1. Background History 1 2. Propagation of the Sasana 41 3. Sectarianism 104 4. Thathanabyu Thathanazaunt Committee 150 Conclusion 199 Appendices 209 Bibliography 214 List of Appendices Page 1. Religious Buildings Constructed by King Mohnyinmintaya 209 2. 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