Mahāyāna Buddhism in Myanmar

     The Mahāyāna  and other allied cults (e.g., Mantrayāna and  Tantrayāna)  were introduced into Burma from Bihar and Bengal, during the rule of the Pāla and Sena dynasties; this is indicated not only the account of Tāranātha  but also by archaeological finds from Pagan.

     Tantric or Mahāyāna spread out in 5^th or 6^th AD in upper Burma. Aris(ariggaka) established Mantrayana and Tantrayana in Upper Burma in 10^th – 13^th AD. Read more

The Sanskrit Bodhisattva Arts and Images of Mahayana in Myanmar

The records of the Mahayana Buddhism in Myanmar or late Burma, is so difficult to find out the available sources. No any more resources are as Mahayana Buddhism in Myanmar.  But we can find out very few information about it as a Sanskrit Buddhism in Myanmar. According to historical resources says that most of the people do not know, as it is a Mahayana Buddhism of Myanmar. According to the Nihar Ranjan Ray’s opinion of on it in chapter V, the Tibetan monk Tāranātha and his guru Buddhagupta traveled and introduced the Sanskrit Buddhism in Pagan, Pegu and Arakan and worked for Sanskrit Buddhism, more particularly in pagan, during the rule of the Senas (4 Senas) of Bengal, it is also mentioned in the Tāranātha. (1)  Later period the Mahayana Scholars indicates, as it is a Mahayana Buddhism to condemn the early Buddhism or Theravada Buddhism. Read more 

Rising & Falling - Satipatthana-method

ØIt is called the rise and fall or Yup Nor and Phong Nor method in Thai as it’s basic technique is to observe the rising and falling of one’s abdomen. At times, the practitioners of this method call it Satipatthana method.

ØOther names for it are the pure, bare or dry insight method.

ØVenerable Mahasi Sayadaw and Nyanaponika Thera also use the term ‘bare insight’. Read more

THE LAST MESSAGE OF THE BUDDHA!

'When I am gone, my Teaching shall be your Master and Guide.'

Three months before His passing away the Buddha addressed His disciples and said: 'I have delivered sermons to you during these forty-five years. You must learn them well and treasure them. You must practise them and teach them to others. This will be of great use for the welfare of the living and for the welfare of those who come after you'.

'My years are now full ripe; the life span left is short. I will soon have to leave you. You must be earnest. O monks, be mindful and of pure virtue! Whoever untiringly pursues the Teaching, will go beyond the cycle of birth and death and will man an end of Suffering.'

When Ananda asked the Buddha what would become of the Order after He pass away, the Buddha replied, 'What does the Order expect of me, Ananda? I have preached the Truth without any distinction; for in regard to the Truth, there is no clenched hand in the Teachings of the Buddha�‚. It may be, Ananda, that to some among you, the thought will come 'The Master's words will soon end; soon we will no longer have a master.' But do not think like this, Ananda. When I am gone, my Teaching and the disciplinary code shall be your Master.'

The Buddha further explained: 'If there is anyone who thinks, 'It is I who will lead the brotherhood', or 'The Order is dependent on me, it is I who should give instructions', the Buddha does not think that He should lead the order or that the Order is dependent on Him. I have reached the end of my days. Just as a worn-out cart can only be made to move with much additional care, so my body can be kept going only with much additional care. Therefore, Ananda, be a lamp and refuge unto yourselves. Look for no other refuge. Let the Truth be your lamp and your refuge. Seek no refuge elsewhere.'

At the age of eighty, on His birthday, He passed away without showing any worldly supernatural powers. He showed the real nature of component things even in His own life.

When the Buddha passed away into Nibbana, one of His disciples remarked, 'All must depart---all beings that have life must shed their compounded forms. Yes, even a Master such as He, a peerless being, powerful in Wisdom and Enlightenment, even He must pass away.'

The parting words of the Buddha:

'Appamadena Sampadetha Vaya Dhamma Sankhara'.
'Work diligently. Component things are impermanent.'

What Buddhists Believe
Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda Maha Thera