SUMMARY

The Myanmar Buddhists are the majority religious group in Myanmar (Burma), comprising 87.9 percent of a total population of approximately 55 million inhabitants; this figure is current as of 2014, and adjusted to account for the part of the population not recognized as citizens by the Government of Myanmar (Burma). Most Buddhists in Myanmar adhere to the Theravada branch of Buddhism, which is common in Southeast Asia. The Buddhist population is ethnically heterogeneous, and include for example Myanmar’s largest ethnic group, the Bamar, as well as a plethora of minority groups. Aside from religious practice, there are few notable differences between Myanmar’s Muslim and Buddhist populations; most Muslims, like the majority Buddhist population, speak Burmese (Bama), and are knowledgeable in Myanma history and culture.

Prejudice against the Myanmar Muslims among the Buddhist population is said to have increased after General Ne Win seized power in 1962. While Myanmar does not have an official state religion, Buddhism has unofficially been favored by the Government of Myanmar (Burma), which has increasingly identified itself with Buddhism. Buddhist extremists, particularly monks, have fueled animosity against Muslims by forwarding claims that Muslim men marry Buddhist women in a plot to take over Myanmar. One particularly vocal Buddhist extremist group is the monk-led “969 Movement”, which actively stirs anti-Muslim sentiments. Much of the anti-Muslim sentiment among the Buddhists stem from immigration during the colonial period, which led to socio-economic stress and dissatisfaction.

For more specific information about the Buddhist population in Rakhine state, please consult the Rakhine actor page.