[5] Imtiaz Ahmed, The Plight of the Stateless Rohingyas (Bangladesh: The University Press Limited, 2010). bG^P.mW/r"> U4cT7hksC/)T~X]][/88h a NB4' $.FkRd> Some monasteries have organized humanitarian aid for Muslims who have been displaced by the violence. WebMyanmar Myanmar - Overview Population. Ethnic minoritiessuch as the Chin, Kachin, Karin, and Rohingyainclude significant populations of Christians and Muslims. If you have information about these groups, please contact us. %%EOF 0000000016 00000 n Web Estimated Population of Myanmar in 2023. [15] Jane Perlez, Rise in Bigotry Fuels Massacre Inside Myanmar, International New York Times (March 1, 2014). The ethnic and religious violence in Myanmar is incredibly complex; the traumas of colonialism, poverty, the recent transition from a military government to a more democratic state, and the global war on terror all play major roles in shaping the conflict. During the riots in Meiktila in March 2013, Burmese police did little, if anything, to contain the situation. WebAccording to the 2014 Myanmar Census, 87.9% of the population identifies as Buddhists. Nearly 90 of the country is Buddhist and most are members of the majority. 188 (28 November, 2012), 2. One of the most important aspects of the Burmese way of life is religion. The Burma Citizenship Law was enacted in 1982. 0000003187 00000 n trailer From 1948 to 1961, the Rohingya Mujahideen fought to create a separate Islamic State. Data is not as precise as it appears. Labor force in Myanmar 2010-2018. Web Burmas population consists of Buddhists 879 percent Christians 62 percent Muslims 43 percent Animists 08 percent and Hindus 05 percent. 102 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<4FE0EAC9B217F046911730C569C99152>]/Index[91 27]/Info 90 0 R/Length 69/Prev 102133/Root 92 0 R/Size 118/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream They believe in a Theravadan Buddhist doctrine that states that only their intention affects their karma. endstream endobj startxref 0000004853 00000 n While many monks in Myanmar seem to support and even advocate for violence against their Muslim neighbors, there are others who are constantly working to end the violence. Ashin Wirathu argues that Muslim extremists are plotting to transform Myanmar into an Islamic country. Sign up to receive the latest publications, event invitations, and our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. %PDF-1.5 % Subscribe and receive our travel ideas and tips twice a month, Shanti Travel14 rue de Tolbiac75013 Paris. Clicking Update will rewrite the URL in the address bar allowing you to bookmark this page. The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated. Others claim that their statements against Muslims never explicitly call for violenceeven if it causes itand thus any violence that occurs is not their responsibility. Web The difference is that Myanmar or Burma as it was known WebThe majority of Myanmars population is rural, with the density of settlement in each region related to agricultural production, particularly of rice. Very small groups reported, but outside the Joshua Project Small Group Policy. [22] Eliane Coates, Buddhist Monks in Myanmar: Driving Religious Intolerance and Hindering Reform, RSIS Commentaries No. 0000003605 00000 n The essays in this series tackle these and other salient questions pertaining to sectarianism in the MENA and Asia Pacific regions. Joshua Project makes every effort to ensure that the subject in an image is in fact from the specific people group. 117 0 obj <>stream GQ}^. The narrative of demographic besiegement is also fuelled by the fact that many Rohingya fail to assimilate to Burmese local customs and way of life. Since the opening of Myanmar in 2011, President Thein Sein has pursued broad economic and political reforms of policies created by former military leaders. endstream endobj 37 0 obj <> endobj 38 0 obj <> endobj 39 0 obj <>stream MEI welcomes financial donations, but retains sole editorial control over its work and its publications reflect only the authors views. note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 Approximately 2% of Burmese people are Hindu. One monk, U Withuta, housed over 800 Muslims in his monastery during anti-Muslim riots, telling the mob that approached that they would have to kill him to reach those he protected inside. The prince of a small kingdom in India, he lived in opulence thanks to his familys wealth without having the slightest contact with anything outside the palace, neither with poverty, nor with misery, nor death. Web Myanmar Population LIVE retrieving data. Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security, Oman Library at the Middle East Institute, Earth Day: Environmental Opportunities and Challenges in the Middle East, Womens Reproductive Rights and Abortion in Morocco: Regulatory Reforms Should Not Miss the Bigger Picture, http://www.networkmyanmar.com/images/stories/PDF12/rohingya-origins-1-r, http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21582321-fuelled-dangerous-brew-fait, http://www.networkmyanmar.org/images/stories/PDF15/Leider-Note.pdf, http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=3ae6b4f71b, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/world/asia/rise-in-bigotry-fuels-mass, http://www.theforeignreport.com/2013/07/01/burma-buddhism-and-the-rise-, http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-180314.html, http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21565638-why-buddhists-and-muslims-r, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-01/an-myanmar-considers-law-restricting-interfaith-marriage/5292534, http://www.fortifyrights.org/downloads/Policies_of_Persecution_Feb_25_F, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf, http://www.rsis.edu.sg/publications/Perspective/RSIS2212013.pdf, http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/8784/RSIS1312012.pdf?sequen, http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/burma0413webwcover_0.pdf, http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/abuse-against-myanmar-s-r, Indonesia and the Middle East: Exploring Connections, Islam, Migrants and Multiculturalism: A Glance at Germany, Korea and Beyond, Sectarian Violence Involving Rohingya in Myanmar: Historical Roots and Modern Triggers. 0000009664 00000 n [nor] could [they] write or read the official Bamar language used in government communications.[19] Indeed, the majority of Rohingya speak a dialect similar to Bengali, and many can read and write in Urdu. Looser censorship has also correlated with the increasing penetration of social media into Burmese society. Other data may have varying ages. Indeed, the perception that foreigners ran much of Burmas finance and commerce was seen as unacceptable. Among his alleged crimes. Today, a segment of Burman Buddhist monks represented by Ashin Wirathu is re-igniting sentiments of intolerance and flaming lingering resentment toward Rohingya, preaching hateful rhetoric and sowing fear in the local Buddhist population in an attempt to change the ethnic demographics of Rakhine State. Points are best estimates, but should not be taken as exact. However, while new census results are to be released in 2014, estimates indicate that roughly 89 percent of Myanmars population is Buddhist, and only 4 percent is Muslim. [27] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (July 8, 2013), 48, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. All rights reserved. Join us on a journey of discovery as we explore the fascinating world of Myanmar's religion, and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural richness that makes Myanmar such a unique and captivating country. Rising Burman-Buddhist ethno-nationalism, represented by Buddhist monks, has played a key role in the recent waves of inter-religious violence. . Myanmar | Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School The first is constructed around a fear of Islamic encroachment into Myanmar and demographic besiegement by Muslimsan idea that runs deep in Burman Buddhist society. [23] See Kyaw San Wai, Western Myanmar Unrest: Partisan Portrayals Risk Extremist Implications, RSIS Commentaries 131/2012, http://dr.ntu.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10220/8784/RSIS1312012.pdf?sequen. [2] Fear of New Religious Strife, The Economist (July 27, 2013), http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21582321-fuelled-dangerous-brew-fait. Christians make up just 6 percent of the [4] Moshe Yegar, Between Integration and Secession: The Muslim Communities of the Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and Western Burma/Myanmar (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 2002), 103. Burmese Hindus are a mix of Bengalis, Tamils, Telegus, and Uttar Pradeshis who arrived in Burma under British colonialism. There are only .57 physicians and .9 beds available per 1,000 residents. While peace building is possible, many challenges remain. That being said, the situation is improving, especially in towns and cities where education has increased and the population are more open-minded aboutreligion in Myanmar. Thus, despite clear evidence that Islamophobic monastic rhetoric has increased violence, by denying that violence was their intention, many of these monks claim their karmic conscience is clear. RELIGION AND PUBLIC LIFE, Harvard Divinity School14 DivinityAvenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. my.hds |Harvard Divinity School |Harvard University |Privacy | Accessibility | Digital Accessibility | Trademark Notice | Reporting Copyright InfringementCopyright 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College. 0000005648 00000 n endstream endobj 95 0 obj <>stream TwitterBobRobertsJr A court in Myanmar has. However, while Buddhist nationalists have clearly stoked violence and legitimized Islamophobic actions, there are many Buddhists who have tried to promote peace with their Muslim neighbors. Human Rights Watch found that rather than protecting civilians at risk, Burmese police either stood by or actively engaged in and contributed to the unfolding violence. Inflation Rate in Myanmar is expected to be 1200 percent by the end of this. In the 19th century, many tribes who had been treated as inferior due to their animistic beliefs, such as the Chins, converted to Christianity. Rohingya couples in the Rakhine State townships of Maungdaw ad Buthidaung can legally have only two children, in what the state government says is an effort to reduce overpopulation and inter-communal tensions.[16] While this policy is not officially sanctioned by the government, it has received tacit approval. 0 Ongoing repression of Rohingya is driven by Burman Buddhist fear of Islamic encroachment into Myanmar, as well as an ongoing belief that the Rohingya could potentially threaten Burmese sovereignty by further segregating Rakhine State. With the military coup of 1962, about 1 million Indians were forced out of Burma, but some remained, mostly in Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay, and in the Bago District. Interestingly enough, "The two words mean the same thing and one is derived from the other. This is done to avoid confusion regarding the current reality of a people group, to fix grammar and spelling and to avoid potentially offensive wording. Try our business solution for free. This Christian presence dates back to the time whenEuropean and American missionariescame to settle and evangelize Myanmar. The second narrative espoused in the growing Burman-Buddhist nationalist movement is that the Rohingya started it. That is, Rohingya throughout history have rarely followed Burmese national interests, instead several times having threatened Myanmars newfound sovereignty. [25] Many Rohingya have reported cases of physical abuse, rape, destruction of property and unlawful killings carried out by both Rakhine Buddhists and security forces, and Amnesty International has found that most arrests appear to have been arbitrary and discriminatory. Children as a percentage of the population Myanmar 2013-2022. Points represent the approximate center of a larger area. Be respectful of the different cultures and keep an open mind as you explore this beautiful country! And what could be done to avert sectarian violence, to foster tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and to promote reconciliation? We welcome. This act essentially legitimized discrimination against the Rohingya, which continues today. This article provides an analysis of the recent sectarian violence involving the minority Rohingya Muslim group in Myanmar (Burma) since June 2012. Some countries, and the United Nations recognize the name change due to the paperwork and preference to allow members to name themselves as they wish so long as the decision is recorded. [3] The British also welcomed wealthy money lenders (chettyars) from South India to help administer colonial Burma. 0000029681 00000 n hbbd``b`:$C3`\@ !$+ n r6#+#E 0000007275 00000 n [25] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (8 July 2013), 47, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. Church planting agencies in Myanmar (Burma), Joshua Project data is drawn from many sources and of varying accuracy depending on source and editorial decisions. 0000026659 00000 n There is no doubt that during yourtrip to Myanmaryou will see plenty of Buddhist pagodas, a reminder of the importance ofreligion in Myanmar. As always, when thinking about religion and conflict, maintain a focus on how religion is internally diverse, always evolving and changing, and always embedded in specific cultures. This includes 1,930 km of coastline. For more information see the Joshua Project Small Group Policy. The hVmo6+p&(8qzX ? In great need of spiritual renewal and commitment to biblical faith. Cq B[=c+aS%}m)dwC 8Bc uUdwqji3px7F8|]#nI'4 xdMvB;^!'akBK}qN! strict military rule, new found freedom of speech permits Buddhist monks, such as U [Ashin] Wirathu, to spread ideas of religious intolerance and fan the flames of Islamaphobia.[22] Indeed, while the 969 movement has been denied the official status of a religious organization, Buddhist monks are able to freely travel the country preaching the protection of their religion and race without government intervention. dPblafLfC9. 0000026145 00000 n [2] After the first of three Anglo-Burmese wars ended in 1826, Rakhine State was brought under British colonial administration, which had an open immigration policy that allowed an influx of Bengali Muslims into the newly colonized territory. Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion among the majority Bamar ethnic group and among [12] David Steinberg, Laws Enforce Discrimination in Myanmar, Asia Times Online (March 18, 2014), http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-180314.html. 1. The quality of life can be examined in numerous manners, including exploring healthcare, access to improved sanitation and drinking water, as well as the World Happiness Report. 0000001156 00000 n Blanks mean an unknown value. Thousands of monks have participated in anti-Muslim demonstrations, increasing interreligious tensions in the region. [13] Even though Buddhists form the majority of the population, and there is no solid evidence Myanmar is facing an Islamist military threat, the narrative has gained traction amongst many Buddhists fearing that Islam will disrupt Myanmars Buddhist identity and potentially wipe out Buddhism in Myanmar altogether. [26] Moreover, authorities do not sanction the police for their wrongdoings. One of the reasons for the falling fertility rates and birth rates is the increasing number of unmarried women in addition to the increased access to contraception. World Population Prospects (2022 Revision). (7u%Vd{|>ap"N:.9c~j,1B^U#pilGd`}K H6K@>*#Eg/,gGRL$ VHS{UmN0bo]Y||YWt4@4*^Q@xqh(PG"+m1_ O3Twy(P){g]mQy^ZU3hYkKpPp\(xy-9|Z(B/`7 0YY8{]\aqzMr*fB"Y$2~DIO"frp5Toe1 E_L_1p Q]"5|R9~CM{/ ] AvSWmnY;I$|dzR2/)QgQKm&OJCuM5Lmw0DV]QJ?P3#2;aQ {@g}~f=(zPA =x''''''''s;[>Ly[(-w9C8=>O4N6m He later said to a reporter: I was only doing it in accordance with Buddhas teachings. In other words, they believe that they have only done wrong if the result of their action is what they explicitly intended. In this video, we will explore the various aspects of Myanmar's religion, including its history, beliefs, practices, and the role of religion in Burmese society.We will take a closer look at the different religious practices that exist in Myanmar, including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism. We recommend against using %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical to calculate absolute numbers. - Few evangelicals and few who identify as Christians. 0000007386 00000 n WebConsidered as the main religion, Buddhism (mostly Theravada Buddhism) makes up more. Myanmar Religion Percentage 2023 April 15, 2023 Web As of 2019 the Yangon region was the most populous region in Myanmar with a population of over eight million. Some may not be viable and/or have incorrect Progress Scale values, population, language and religion information. Web 5 hours agoPeople walk outside of a church in the Kachin state of Myanmar where 95 percent of residents are Christian. Web Religion in Myanmar is spread across Buddhist with 879 Christian 62 Muslim 43 Animist 08 Hindu 05 other 02 and none at 01 of the population. The government is accused s\A0W+z=;;4{LqMQ(|> endstream endobj 92 0 obj <> endobj 93 0 obj <> endobj 94 0 obj <>stream In Muslim majority contexts like Mali, Burkina Faso, and northern Nigeria ethnicity plays a stronger role and implications for [21] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (July 8, 2013), 16, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. Hinduism is practised by about 890,000 people in Myanmar, [2] [3] and has been influenced by elements of Buddhism, with many Hindu temples in Myanmar housing statues of the Buddha. H\0~ Each point represents a people group in a country. This case study was created by Kristofer Rhude, MDiv 18, under the editorial direction of Dr. Diane L. Moore, faculty director of Religion and Public Life. The vast The name 969 is a numerological reference to the Buddha, his teachings, and his religious community. [19] Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Final Report of Inquiry Commission on Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State (8 July 2013), 62, http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs15/Rakhine_Commission_Report-en-red.pdf. Buddhism in Burma is attached to theTheravadabranch which is the oldest and more conservative branch of Buddhism, following the Buddhas teachings, without modification. For a listing of MEI donors, please click here. Myanmar (Burma) is a majorly a Buddhist majority country with a significant minority population residing in the country.(Section 361) of the Constitution states that "The Union recognizes special position of ```Buddhism``` as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union." According to both the 2016 census of the Burmese government Buddhism is the dominant religion, of Burmese Hindus are a mix of Bengalis, Tamils, Telegus, and Uttar Pradeshis who arrived in Burma under British colonialism. xref 0000008087 00000 n 26 0 obj <> endobj Between 1951 and 1961, the Muslim population expanded by 32.7%, 11 percentage points more than Indias overall rate of 21.6%. Inflation Rate in Myanmar averaged 12.95 percent from 1998 until 2022, reaching an all time high of 54.02 percent in December of 2002 and a record low of -1.09 percent in December of 2011. By 2013, in neighboring Bangladesh alone around 300,000 Rohingya refugees lived in camps along the border. Today, these people live in refugee camps in their own country. It was during an outing to the outside world that he witnessed illness and poverty for the first time. However, religions are powerful forces. Nearly 88% of Myanmars population identify themselves as Buddhist, with other religious denominations, such as Christians, Muslims, and Hindus, making up the WebReligion in Myanmar The overwhelming majority of Myanmars population practices Theravada Buddhismaround 88 percent. It is common to hear people say that certain religions are religions of violence or religions of peace. What might you say to someone who made such a claim? [16] Reform Fails to Help Myanmars Rohingya, IISS Strategic Comments, Vol. Population aged 0-14 . Myanmar has maintained steady growth over the past century despite its battles both in ending British rule and with the ongoing civil wars. Myanmar religion percentage 2023. 0000004936 00000 n WebQuintana visited Myanmar in March 2010 and called for the establishment of a U.N. Commission of Inquiry to investigate Myanmars violations of international humanitarian and human rights law and to recommend appropriate redress.32 Quintana reiterated this appeal a year later in March 2011 and then again that summer, but to no avail.33 0000006915 00000 n Religion in Myanmar is spread across Buddhist with 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, and none at 0.1% of the population. Web Chart and table of Myanmar population from 1950 to 2023. 545 million or 545 crores read about list of countries in Asia by population Myanmar Demographics Religion in Myanmar. The tacit approval by the government of discriminatory policies toward Rohingyaand the widespread impunity for most perpetrators of violence, including the authoritiesremain a key concern in Myanmars transformation from a military dictatorship into a democracy. While Rohingya leaders claim to be the descendants of the precolonial Muslim community of Rakhine State, the term Rohingya only appeared in 1799 in an article on the comparative vocabulary in the Burma Empire to describe the indigenous people of Rakhine State.[1]. 0000008816 00000 n 0000002037 00000 n To date, Buddhist mobs have killed more than 200 Muslims, the majority of whom are Rohingya, and caused the displacement of more than 140,000.[9]. Click the image in the popup window for a people group profile. Prayer cards are formatted eight to a page. [6] Yegar, Between Integration and Secession The Muslim Communities of the Southern Philippines, Southern Thailand, and Western Burma/ Myanmar (Maryland: Lexington Books, 2002), 37. WebThis census covered 96.6 percent of total population. The population density overall is approximately 79 people per square kilometer. [$- Religion in Myanmar. The overwhelming majority of Myanmars population practices Theravada Buddhismaround 88 percent. Christians make up just 6 percent of the population, 4 percent of the population is Muslim, 0.8 percent is animist, and 0.05 percent practice Hinduism. [24] Human Rights Watch, All You Can Do is Pray: Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burmas Arakan State (2013), http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/burma0413webwcover_0.pdf. Just over 80% of the country has access to clean drinking water with only 77% having access to improved sanitation facilities. WebMyanmar, also known as Burma, is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. Growth rates have declined for all of Indias major religious groups, but the slowdown has been more pronounced among religious minorities, who outpaced Hindus in earlier decades. Copyright 2023 The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Religion and Society Graduate Certificate (Harvard Extension School). endstream endobj 40 0 obj <> endobj 41 0 obj <>stream This led to the expulsion of close to 300,000 Burmese Indians. Now, the last partial census was conducted in 1983, and until 2014, the last officially recorded nationwide census hadn't occurred since 1931. w+|R6r5pRCyzh+xm6f{.xmpf2YZ|_pT~9dbb?f4 0vev4l,{w}?_3~`9'L;v:5mpZGjneS?J5TjyNCJ;]%S9tA]@%Pv/_zjJ [8] Michael Tanchum, The Buddhist-Muslim Violence in Myanmar: A Threat to Southeast Asia, The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, BESA Center Perspectives Paper, No. - Evangelicals have a significant presence. Myanmar is predominantly a Buddhist country, with around 90% of the population following Theravada Buddhism. The violence has been coordinated and serious, and the UN Human Rights Office has stated that Myanmar is likely guilty of crimes against humanity or even ethnic cleansing.. 0000001481 00000 n Mandalay comes in second, with 1,208,099; and is also known as the economic center of the country. How has the cultural context of Burmese Buddhism impacted the ways in which Buddhism is practiced in the region? 0000006478 00000 n Web Nearly 88 of Myanmars population identify themselves as Buddhist with other religious denominations such as Christians Muslims and Hindus making up the. Use mouse wheel or +/- buttons to zoom the map. WebMyanmar is the most religious Buddhist country with regard to the percentage of the population living as monks and the amount of money spent on religion. New media, such as Facebook, have facilitated the rapid spread of accusations, often inflaming already volatile situations. How does gender play a role in the conflict in Myanmar. Prolonged periods of repression were accompanied by cycles of Rohingya migration from Rakhine State to bordering Bangladesh. 0000015224 00000 n Please. These laws were most common in the Middle East and North Africa, where 18 of the 20 countries (90%) in the region have laws criminalizing blasphemy and 13 of them (65%) outlaw apostasy. The official language used is Burmese, with some ethnic groups using their own languages. Are religious doctrinal differences primarily responsible for stoking intercommunal fear and hatred? Interview with Aung San Suu Kyithe State Counselor of Burma, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and a Theravada Buddhistwhere she responds to accusations of ethnic cleansing against Muslims in Myanmar: http://bit.ly/2sfZyDo. There are two salient narratives driving anti-Rohingya/anti-Muslim sentiments. The vast majority of people, 89%, profess Buddhism. 0000012575 00000 n endstream endobj 42 0 obj <> endobj 43 0 obj <>stream The organized movement has enlisted monasteries across Myanmar to spread radical anti-Muslim messages through Sunday schools, and by handing out stickers and distributing pamphlets and DVDs.[11] As David Steinberg of Georgetown University highlights, the significance of Buddhist monks leading this campaign cannot be underestimated, as few, if any, in the Burman community can publicly dispute a monks announcement on an ostensibly religious issue.[12] Indeed, monks wield the highest level of moral authority in Myanmar and can thus pursue an ethno-nationalist agenda without hindrance. Myanmar's relatively slow population growth is predicted to continue on its current trajectory. [15], As a consequence of this fear, discriminatory policies toward the Rohingya have been imposed. Pin Pa Patrimonios Changing the pivot column will reset the column selection and sort order. [23], Political reforms in Myanmar have also led to looser military control and, in some cases, a complete breakdown of law and order. [20] The Rakhine Commission of Inquiry was established by Executive Order on 17 August 2012. As I have noted in another article, whereas during the period of the military junta ethnic tensions and separatism were held at bay by . WebHinduism in Myanmar. Rangoon/Yangon is the largest city and the capital of the area. Buddhism does not have a creator god like other religions and it does not contain theories either. The Buddha lived an ascetic life with several monks and priests. 0000010535 00000 n Located in the south of the country the region is. . 2018 Middle East Institute All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Policy |Built by Social Driver. One Buddhist nationalist monk, U Wirathu, was even described on the cover of Time Magazine as The Face of Buddhist Terror in 2013. The 969 Movement, a complex Buddhist nationalist movement, has promoted a Buy Buddhist campaign, encouraging citizens to buy goods only from other Buddhists, to target the economic well-being of religious minoritiesespecially Muslims.