Anawrahta (1044-1077), also known as Anoratha, was the first ruler of kingdom of Pagan, now part of Myanmar. He made a pilgrimage to Ceylon, returning to convert his country from Ari Buddhism to Theravada Buddhism. To further this goal he appointed Arahan , a famous Mon monk of Thaton. In 1057 he invaded Thaton under the premise that they had refused to lend Pagan the Pali Tipitaka, and successfully returned with the Mon king Manuha as prisoner. From 1057-1059 he took an army to Nanzhao to seek a Buddha's tooth relic. As he returned, Shan chiefs swore allegiance to him, and he married Saw Monhla , pricess of the Shan chief of Moguang . In 1071 Anawrahta received the complete Tipitaka from Sri Lanka. Buddhists from Dai regions (southern Yunnan and Laos), Thailand, and India (where Buddhism had been oppressed) came to study in Pagan as Anawrahta moved the center of Burmese Buddhism north from Thaton.

He also built the famous Shwezigon pagoda.

In the end, Anawrahta was successful in his quest, and Theravada became the dominant religion in Myanmar within two centuries.

His rule was usurped by a general called Kyanzittha , who allegedly fell in love with Anawrahta's wife to be, the Princess of Mon Kingdom.

Anawrahta Street in Rangoon is named after him.

References

• Chan, Maung (March 2005) Theravada Buddhism and Shan/Thai/Dai/Laos Regions.