A Study of Buddhism in the Pyu Period

Abstract
It is traditionally accepted that Buddhism was introduced into Myanmaland during the
lifetime of the Buddha. Archaeological and historical research works maintain, however,
that the advent of the Buddhist faith was only seen in Beikthano near Taungdwingyi
during the first century A.C., in Halin near etlet during the second century A.C., and in
central Myanmaland ! in such regions as "rikshetra #Tharekhittara$ near %yay ! during
the fourth century A.C. Because the %yu people esta&lished these city'states ' Beikthano,
Halin, and "rikshetra, the religion spreading there at the time in (uestion has &een often
referred to as %yu'%eriod Buddhism or Buddhism in the %yu %eriod. This dissertation
aims to study it with specific reference to Beikthano, Halin, and Tharekhittara, where it is
supposed the %yu people prospered.
The dissertation will &egin with the advent of Buddhism in the %yu regions, &ased on the
archaeological finds e)cavated from there. It will focus on how and where Buddhism
came to these regions. *eferring to the images, inscriptions and other evidences availa&le
from the e)cavation of these regions, the author will e)plore Buddhism in the %yu %eriod
in three sections+ the first section on the Buddha with emphasis on the accounts of
Chronicles of the Buddha, the second on the ,hamma or the ,octrine of the Buddha, and
the last on the "angha or the -rder. .vidences from literature a&out the %yu will also &e
e)ploited with the hope of assessing the Buddhist %ali literature of that time.
The end of the %yu %eriod &eing followed &y the &eginning of the Bagan %eriod, or the
golden days of Myanmar kings, the dissertation concludes with a chapter which will
attempt to show how Buddhism in the %yu %eriod influenced Buddhism in the Bagan
%eriod.
In doing this research, sources will &e sought in the works of Taw "ein /o, ,uroiselle, 0.
H. 1uce, ,aw Thin /yi, 2 . Maung, 2 Maung Maung 0yi, 2 Chan Mya, ,r Than Tun,
Ma3or Ba "hin, 2 Aung Thaw, 2 Myint Aung, 2 "ein Maung -o, 2 Tha Myat, *o&ert
"hafer, 4anice "targardt and others.