Strengthening the Buddhist Community to Propagate Buddhism in Arakan

Abstract

This qualitative study examines how the Rakhine Buddhist community can sustain the propagation of Theravāda Buddhism in four areas of Arakan (Rakhine State), Kyauktaw, Mrauk U, Ponnagyun, and Kyaukphyu, amid social and political instability. It addresses three objectives: to identify locally significant modes of Buddhist propagation, to analyze patterns of community participation, and to propose guidelines for strengthening Buddhist community capacity. Data were drawn from Buddhist and historical documents, census and conflict-related reports, and in-depth interviews with 20 purposively selected informants representing monastic, educational, lay, student, and community-organizational perspectives. Interviews were conducted in English, Rakhine, and Burmese, audio-recorded with consent, translated where necessary, and analyzed thematically.

The findings identify recurring propagation practices: pariyatti (study of Buddhist teachings), paṭipatti (practice and mental cultivation), ordination, Dhamma teaching, and community festivals and merit-making activities. The Saṅgha, lay supporters, community organizations, and public authorities sustain participation through complementary roles. Interview and documentary evidence further suggests that education, economic capacity, and access to health care shape the community’s ability to maintain religious institutions and activities. These findings are synthesized into a provisional PSCK framework: Principles, Social well-being, Caring, and Kindness, grounded in Buddhist principles of social solidarity and communal welfare. The framework is conceptual, not an evaluated intervention, and its transferability is limited by conflict-related access constraints and the purposive sample composition.