High Middle Ages · Southeast Asia · Religion

1048

Anawrahta receives Theravada scriptures from Mon kingdom

1048

The Pagan king, newly converted to Theravada Buddhism, demanded a complete set of the Tipitaka from the Mon king Manuha of Thaton. When Manuha refused, Anawrahta began preparations for a military campaign to seize both the scriptures and the Mon kingdom's wealth. The resulting conquest would transform Pagan into the greatest Buddhist center in mainland Southeast Asia.