Myanmar is a region where Theravada Buddhism flourishes. Out of the four major religions, the most widely worshipped by the people in Myanmar is Buddhism. Myanmars are living peacefully following the teachings of Buddha Dhamma. They always take pride that they are peaceful under the refuge of Buddha and Dhamma. Most of the elderly people go to the meditation centers to practise meditation, the religious edifices to observe the Buddhist precepts and enjoy religious practices.
Pariyatti Sasana
Pariyatti Sasana is the origin of Sasana out of three Sasanas Tri Pitaka treatises such as Pariyatti Sasana, Paṭipatti Sasana and Paṭivedha Sasana. Pariyatti Sasana is the doctrines of Buddha, Tri Pitaka treatises which contain Sutta, Vinaya and Abhidhamma. Paṭipatti Sasana is practicing according to Buddha doctrines. The Paṭivedha Sasana , however, is attaining the bliss of Nibbana through such practice and effort.
In three stages of Sasana, Pariyatti Sasana is the most primary stage, the life blood of three stages of Sasana and the origin of paṭipatti Sasana and paṭivedha Sasana. That means, if the Pariyatti Sasana which is the teaching of Supreme Being disappears the Paṭipatti which is a systematic practice will not able to exist. If the right practice of Paṭipatti Sasana no longer exists the paṭivedha Sasana which lead to the realization of the path to Nibbana, will also be lost. Therefore, the great Sayadaws admonish that the Pariyatti Sasana is like a bank of a lake, the Patipatti Sasana is like water, and the Pativedha Sasana is like roots and flowers of lotus.Only when the bank of Pariyatti Sasana gains strength, will the water called Patipatti Sasana exist, when the water of Patipatti Sasana exists, the stems, flowers of lotus called Pativedha will spread out into full blossom.
The Pariyatti is life blood of Sasana. Just as the saying goes, “if literature is extinct, a nation will no longer be in existence”, when the teachings of the Buddha were lost, the Sasana will disappear. Just as literature is the life blood of a nation, the Pariyatti scriptures such as Vinaya, Suttas, and Abhidhamma are also the life blood of the Sasana. Therefore, learning the Pariyatti and to master them with excellence are very important for the Sasana.
Pariyatti Exams
The leading Theravada Sayadaws and laypeople in Myanmar, who are aware of the importance of Pariyatti, have encouraged and honored Pariyatti to flourish and perpetuate the Sasana for a long time.
Among the Pariyatti exams in Myanmar, Pathamabyan, the examination held to test one’s knowledge of Buddhist scriptures, is the longest-running one. It was held in Myanmar Era of 1000 or around 1638 AD by King Thalun, who emerged during the Nyaungyan era, for the first time. Not only Buddhist monks and nuns but also princes took the examination. The examination, which began during the reign of King Thalun, was stopped in Myanmar Era 1247 or 1885 AD when the British conquered Myanmar. However, the Sayadaws and laypeople who wanted the benefit of the Sasana continued to hold it in their own way to prevent the Sasana from disappearing and urged the then British government to continue holding the examination. Based on their requests, the British government resumed it in Myanmar Era 1257 or 1895 AD according to the curriculum established by the ancient Myanmar kings. In the first year, only the exams for two grades, Pathamange and Pathamalat, were held but from the following year, it was expanded to the senior grade, Pathamagyi.
The great donors who wanted to promote the development of the Pariyatti Sasana established the Pariyatti Sasanahita (Sakyasiha) Society in Mandalay in the Myanmar year of 1260 (1898 AD) to support and protect the religion. The Sakyasiha Examination, which is the most famous in the world of Myanmar Pariyatti literature, was first held in Myanmar Era 1265 or 1903 AD, and the Abhivansa degree was awarded to those who passed the examination. The Cetiyangana Pariyatti Dhammanuggaha Society was subsequently established in Yangon in Myanmar Era 1265 or 1903 AD. The Cetiyangana Examination led by this society was only held in Myanmar Era 1280 or 1918 AD, and the Abhivansa Dhammacariya degree was awarded to those who passed the examination.
In 1958, 10 years after regaining the independence, the first Tipitakadhara examination was held to ensure the emergence of those who passed the recitation test of memorized Tripitaka treatises and to be able to start holding the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sanghayana). In this examination, the title of Tipitaka was awarded to those who could recite the memorized 20 texts (totaling 8,980 pages). Only those, who are able to pass the test in written components were awarded the title of Tipitakakovida (Tipitakadhara Tipitakakovida).
In order to promote and protect Pariyatti, the most fundamental and extremely important of the Tri Pitaka treatises, Pariyatti examinations were held in some other cities during the time when the British ruled over the country. The most notable examinations were the Nyaungdon Sudhama Pariyatti Examination, which began in Myanmar Era 1282 or 1920 AD, the Suvannabhumi Pariyatti Sasanahita Association Examination which in Myanmar Era 1284 or 1922 AD, and the Mawlamyine Pariyatti Saddhamapala Association Examination which began in Myanmar Era 1292 or 1930 AD. After Myanmar regained the independence, Pariyatti learning centres were established and opened across Myanmar, and Pariyatti literature has been taught to student monks and regional Pariyatti examinations have been held as well. Pariyatti merit awards were also presented to Sanghas who excelled in the Tipitakadhara Examination, Dhammacariya Examination, Pathamabyan Examination and examinations held in local areas.
Myanmar Buddhists are also very religious and devout people regarding the religion. Buddhists are happy and content when they make donations. Therefore, it is a great pleasure to see people in Myanmar making donations through holding religious festivals, novitiation ceremonies as much as they can to gain merit. Everywhere in the parts of the country are busy with donation ceremonies filled with the sound of drums and traditional music instruments. The donors are happy as well as the visitors.
In addition to such donations, it is seen that there are also festivals to honor and praise the Sanghas who have excelled in Pariyatti Sasana. The main source of Buddhism is the Sanghas discharging Sasana duties to ensure continuity of existence and strengthening of the Pariyatti literature, and it is a worthiness of merit to have a chance to see and visit them. Therefore, all individuals who offer the four kinds of offerings to the monks who serve Pariyatti Sasana duties are also considered to be the preservers of the Pariyatti Sasana.
Jointly translated by U Zaw Myint and U Nyan Tin
