Religion in Myanmar

Part of a series on the
Culture of Myanmar
History Prehistory Pyu city-states Thaton Kingdom Pagan Kingdom Myinsaing Kingdom Pinya Kingdom Sagaing Kingdom Kingdom of Ava Prome Kingdom Hanthawaddy Kingdom Kingdom of Mrauk U Toungoo dynasty First Toungoo Empire Restored Hanthawaddy Kingdom Konbaung dynasty Shan States Karenni States British rule Japanese occupation Union of Burma Socialist Republic 8888 Uprising State Peace and Development Council 2007 protests 2011–2015 political reforms 2021 coup Protests Civil war
People
Languages Burmese language Mon language
Traditions Twelve Auspicious Rites Anade Clothing Acheik Kinship Names Tattooing Weddings Zodiac
Mythology Folklore
Cuisine Burmese curry Burmese fritters Burmese salads Burmese snacks Burmese tea Burmese tofu Satuditha
Festivals Burmese calendar Public holidays Traditional festivals Pagoda festival
Religion Burmese folk religion Buddhism Burmese pagoda Kyaung Buddhābhiṣeka Okāsa Phongyibyan Christianity Hinduism
Art Architecture Ceramics Contemporary art Visual culture Kalaga Glass mosaic
Literature Literature
Music and performing arts Mahāgīta Dance Yein Anyeint Yoke thé Copy Thachin
Media Radio Television Cinema
Sport Naban Thaing Chinlone Lethwei Banshay Bando
Monuments World Heritage Sites Shwedagon Pagoda Mandalay Palace
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem
Organisations National Museum (Naypyidaw) National Museum (Yangon) National Library of Myanmar National Theatre of Yangon
Myanmar portal
v t e

Myanmar (Burma) is a Buddhist majority country with a significant minority of Christians and other groups residing in the country.

Buddhism is a part of Myanmar culture. Section 361 of the Constitution states that "The Union recognizes the special position of Buddhism as the faith professed by the great majority of the citizens of the Union."^[1] According to both the 2014 census of the Burmese government Buddhism is the dominant religion, of 89.8% of the population, practiced especially by the Bamar, Rakhine, Shan, Mon and Chinese ethnic groups. Bamar people also practice the Burmese folk religion under the name of Buddhism. The 2008 constitution provides for the freedom of religion;^[2] however, it also grants broad exceptions that allow the regime to restrict these rights at will.^[3]

Ethnic minorities practice Christianity (6.3%, particularly the Chin, Kachin and Karen people), Islam (2.3%, particularly the Rohingya, Malay, Burmese Chinese and Burmese Indian), and Hinduism (0.5%, particularly by Burmese Indians).^[4]

Nat worship is common in Myanmar. Nats are named spirits and shrines can be seen around the country, either standing alone, or as part of Buddhist temples. Nat worship has a relationship with Myanmar Buddhism and there is a recognised pantheon of 37 nats.