ASBURY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY • • •• The Copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy of reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. By using this material, you are consenting to abide by this copyright policy. Any duplication, reproduction, or • modification of this material without express written consent from Asbury Theological Seminary and/or the original publisher is prohibited. © Asbury Theological Seminary 2011 - . '" ,', , ' .' , ,-, '.' ',"" ,. , -. ' < " ' , " " 800.2ASBURYasburyseminary.edu 859.858.3581 204 North Lexington Avenue, Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 EOLOGICAL SEMINARY Dissertation Abstract This work is targeted on exploring human barriers in the process of evangelism especially with reference to the resistance of the Burman Buddhists to convert to Christianity. Burma is made up of different distinct ethnic groups with Burman people being the majority. Buddhism was first introduced from India first to the Mon people, and the Mons passed it onto the Burmans. Buddhism has been adopted and protected as a favored religion from the era of the Burmese kings to the successive Burmese rulers from U Nu (in 1948) to the present rulers. It has been strongly established through the fifth and the sixth Buddhist Councils in Burma and also through the strong Sangha community. Due to the British colonization, Burmans view Christianity as a foreign religion and also as an ethnic other religion. The contrasting figures between the small percentage (7%) of Christians and the large percentage of Buddhists (85%) in Burma indicate that Christian mission has not been successful in Burma in the previous two centuries. Data are gathered from existing literatures, interviews, questionnaires and written testimonies using qualitative and quantitative research methods, and are evaluated and analyzed based on a tripartite theoretical construct of identity theories, conversion theories, and diffusion theories. The research results produce two types of major barriers: Buddhist barriers to becoming Christians (Indigenous Barriers) and Christian Barriers to witnessing to the Burman Buddhists (Missional Barriers). The first barrier type includes attachment barriers, ethnic barriers, fear-related barriers, socio-political barriers, and the other-religion barriers. The second barrier type contains cultural barriers, ethnic barriers, fear-related barriers, spiritual barriers, ethical moral barriers, and methodological barriers. A better suggested approach to overcome human barriers in witnessing to the Burman Buddhists is a polite-discreet approach.1 This proposed new method polite- discreet approach is the opposite of aggressive-confrontational approach which assumes conversion to occur only in one definable moment. Since conversion can be understood as process of series of events and a dramatic crisis, a polite-discreet approach will work in Burma and in any given context as well. Conversion is a combination of divine and human works (Matt 28:19-20; Rom 10: 14-17). 1The author interviewed an informant who at the first meeting was still a Buddhist-Atheist. As a personal relationship develops with this informant, the author takes the opportunity to apply the polite- discreet approach with the view of conversion as a gradual process in the presentation of the gospel, the informant, Derrick, has made a decision to be baptized in Christ on May 15, 2010. The author is blessed to be a part of a group of people (his wife, his pastor and his church) who share the gospel to Derrick. By the grace of God, the polite-discreet approach is already effective in the presentation of the gospel. DISSERTATION APPROVAL SHEET This dissertation, entitled BARRIERS IN CONVERSION (MISSIONAL AND INDIGENOUS BARRIERS): Identifying the Potential Barriers Contributing to the Stagnant Progress of Evangelistic Works among the Burman Buddhists written by Zam Sian Khai and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy has been read and approved by the undersigned members of the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary _____________________________ Dr. Terry C. Muck, Mentor _____________________________ Dr. Michael A. Rynkiewich, Reader _____________________________ Dr. Eunice L. Irwin, Reader May 2010 BARRIERS IN CONVERSION (MISSIONAL AND INDIGENOUS BARRIERS): Identifying the Potential Barriers Contributing to the Stagnant Progress of Evangelistic Works among the Burman Buddhists A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary Wilmore, Kentucky In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree, Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Committee: Dr. Terry C. Muck, Mentor Dr. Michael A. Rynkiewich, Reader Dr. Eunice L. Irwin, Reader By: Zam Sian Khai May 2010 Copyright © 2010 Zam Sian Khai ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Table of Contents List of Appendices ………….…………………………………………………………...vi List of Tables ………….………………………………………………………………...vii List of Map and Figure………...……………….………………………………………..vii Acknowledgements…….…………………….…………………………………………viii Dedication…….…………………………………………………………………………...x Chapter I: Introduction …………………...……………………………………………… 1 A. The Significance of the Research ................................................................................1 B. The Statement of the Problem .....................................................................................3 C. Research Purpose and Research Questions .................................................................5 D. Parameter of the Research .......................................................................................... 9 1. Delimitations and limitations ................................................................................. 9 2. Ethical conduct commitment .............................................................................. 10 E. Definition of Significant Terms .............................................................................. 11 Chapter II: Background Information of Burma: Its People and Its Religion ……………20 A. Burma: Ethnic and Religious Makeup of Burma ......................................................21 B. Burmans and Mons: Their Origins, Religions and Cultures ....................................22 C. Historical Background of Theravada Buddhism in Burma ......................................24 D. The Officialization of Buddhism under King Anawratha .........................................25 E. The Continual Expansion of Buddhism after King Anawratha .................................27 F. The Firm Establishment of Buddhism through the Buddhist Councils ....................29 Chapter III: Colonial Impacts on Religions and Ethnicities in Burma ……………31 A. British Colonial Interruption of Burmese Society and Buddhism ...........................31 B. Nationalistic Movements Against the Colonial British ............................................32 C. Religious and Ethnic Conflicts Since the Independence ..........................................33 D. The Encounter of Christianity with Buddhism in Burma ..........................................36 i Chapter IV: Relevant Literature Review ……………………………………………39 A. Books on Folktales of Burman People ……………………………………………39 B. Books on Customs and Traditions of Burma ..............................................................42 C. Books on Theravada Buddhism and Folk Buddhism .................................................45 D. Books on Christian Mission in Burma in the Past ......................................................50 E. Books and Articles on Evangelism to the Buddhist in the Present ............................54 1. Evangelization to Buddhists in the Context of Asia ...............................................54 2. Evangelism to Buddhists in the Context of Burma ..................................................57 Chapter V: Theoretical Framework..…………………………………………………….64 A. Conversion Theories ..................................................................................................64 B. Diffusion of Innovation Theories ...............................................................................70 C. Identity Theories ........................................................................................................73 1. Ethnic Identity Theory ...........................................................................................73 2. Social Identity Theory ............................................................................................78 Chapter VI: The Research Design ……………………………………………………82 A. Data Collection Methodology ..................................................................................82 1. Library Research ....................................................................................................82 2. Questionnaires ........................................................................................................83 3. Testimonies.............................................................................................................84