Ari Buddhism
Encyclopedia
Ari Buddhism is the name given to the religious practice common in Burma, prior to Anawrahta
's rise and the subsequent conversion of Bagan
(Pagan) to Theravada
Buddhism
in the eleventh century. It was introduced in the 7th century, possibly through trade contact from India or Tibet. It has largely been categorized as a Tantric
form of Buddhism, combining elements of both Buddhism
, nat worship
, indigenous naga worship
and Hinduism
. Some scholars claim that it is related to the Buddhist religious practices of the Kingdom of Nanzhao and the subsequent Kingdom of Dali
in modern-day Yunnan
, China
. Other historians like Than Tun
contend that the Aris were forest-dwelling monks who simply differed in monastic practice from Theravadin monks, especially with regard to adherence to the Vinaya
, the Buddhist monastic code, as they were much less orthodox, allowed to consume alcohol, engage in sexual relations and eat midday.
Anawrahta
Anawrahta Minsaw was the founder of the Pagan Empire. Considered the father of the Burmese nation, Anawrahta turned a small principality in the dry zone of Upper Burma into the first Burmese Empire that formed the basis of modern-day Burma...
's rise and the subsequent conversion of Bagan
Bagan
Bagan , formerly Pagan, is an ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Burma. Formally titled Arimaddanapura or Arimaddana and also known as Tambadipa or Tassadessa , it was the capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma...
(Pagan) to Theravada
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
in the eleventh century. It was introduced in the 7th century, possibly through trade contact from India or Tibet. It has largely been categorized as a Tantric
Tantra
Tantra , anglicised tantricism or tantrism or tantram, is the name scholars give to an inter-religious spiritual movement that arose in medieval India, expressed in scriptures ....
form of Buddhism, combining elements of both Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, nat worship
Nat (spirit)
The nats are spirits worshipped in Burma in conjunction with Buddhism. They are divided between the 37 Great Nats and all the rest . Almost all of the 37 Great Nats were human beings who met violent deaths . They may thus also be called nat sein...
, indigenous naga worship
Naga
Naga or NAGA may refer to:* Nāga, a group of serpent deities in Hindu and Buddhist mythology.-People:* Nayan / Nayar/Nair people of Kerala Society* Naga people, a diverse ethnic identity in Northeast India...
and Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
. Some scholars claim that it is related to the Buddhist religious practices of the Kingdom of Nanzhao and the subsequent Kingdom of Dali
Kingdom of Dali
Dali or Great Li was a Bai kingdom centred in what is now Yunnan Province of China. Established by Duan Siping in 937, it was ruled by a succession of 22 kings until the year 1253, when it was conquered by an invasion of the Mongol Empire. The capital city was at Dali.- History :The Kingdom of...
in modern-day Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Other historians like Than Tun
Than Tun
Dr. Than Tun was an influential Burmese historian as well as an outspoken critic of the military junta of Burma. For his lifelong contributions to the development of worldwide study of Burmese history and culture, Professor Than Tun was awarded the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 2000.-Overview:A...
contend that the Aris were forest-dwelling monks who simply differed in monastic practice from Theravadin monks, especially with regard to adherence to the Vinaya
Vinaya
The Vinaya is the regulatory framework for the Buddhist monastic community, or sangha, based in the canonical texts called Vinaya Pitaka. The teachings of the Buddha, or Buddhadharma can be divided into two broad categories: 'Dharma' or doctrine, and 'Vinaya', or discipline...
, the Buddhist monastic code, as they were much less orthodox, allowed to consume alcohol, engage in sexual relations and eat midday.