A Study of Buddhism in Arakan

Front Cover
Oo Thein Maung, 2014 - Religion - 424 pages

When researching and presenting their studies on Burma, most scholars of Southeast Asian studies have traditionally overlooked a critical chapter in Burmese history. The majority of texts pertaining to Burma typically do not explore the earliest roots of Buddhism in the region, and they frequently overlook the ancient accounts of the presence of Buddhism from local sources in Rakhaing.

Here, however, is a book that goes where others have not. It fills the gaps left by previous titles on the Rakhaing and corrects some of the oversights and mistakes earlier authors have made.

Written by a fully ordained Buddhist monk during his doctoral studies, A Study of Buddhism in Arakan chronicles the development of the rich Buddhist culture and traditions along the eastern bank of the Bay of Bengal. It discusses the course of Buddhist intercourse between Rakhaing and Sri Lanka, showing how these things helped shape the religious, political, and social atmospheres of Southeast Asia over the centuries.

The first complete, accurate history of the Arakanese people written in the English language, A Study of Buddhism in Arakan is sure to appeal fans of religious, cultural, and historical studies, as well as to anyone looking to discover more of the world's untold stories.

About the author (2014)

Ashon Nyanuttara is a native of Rathedaung (Kingthar), Rakhaing (Arakan), Western Myanmar (Burma). Fully ordained as a Buddhist monk by age twenty, he has been honored with several religious distinctions and obtained numerous academic degrees from a variety of institutions, including a PhD from PGIPBS (University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka). In the beginning of 2008, Nyanuttara began researching the history of Buddhism in Rakhaing for his thesis, which was submitted to the university in July 2012 and published in book format in 2014. A remarkably comprehensive book, A Study of Buddhism in Arakan addresses issues that have been missing from earlier texts and provides the first complete history of the Arakanese people written in the English language. Nyanuttara currently serves as chief incumbent of the Monastery of Kingthar Dhamma, and director of academics and management at the Kingthar Institute in his native town. A Study of Buddhism in Arakan is his first book.

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