Abstract

This is a qualitative research that has three objectives, namely, 1) to study the historical and geographical background of Ta’ang community in Myanmar, 2) to study Buddhism in Ta’ang community in Myanmar, and 3) to analyze the influence of Buddhism on the festivals of the Ta’ang Ethnic Group Ta’ang in Myanmar.

The findings showed the history and geographical background of Myanmar, the origin of Palaung or Ta’ang, and the geography of Ta’ang identified in brief. Concerning the history of Myanmar, the researcher has found the background Myanmar in two historical periods; Tagaung period and Bagan period. In history of Ta’ang, the researcher has found that the origin and different branches of Ta’ang.

In the middle part of the research, the researcher has described Buddhism in Ta’ang community. The beginning of Buddhism, the beginning of Yuan Buddhism, the types of Myanmar Sangha community, the characteristics of Buddhism in Ta’ang region, and the doctrines of Buddhism such as five precepts, kamma and rebirth are practiced in the Ta’ang community. On the other hand, Ta’ang traditional beliefs which are kabu and kanam found among their belief.

In the last part of the thesis, the researcher found that the influence of the doctrine of Buddhism: five precepts, eight-fold paths, the four noble truths, triple gem that influenced on the festivals of Ta’ang ethnic group in Myanmar. Buddhism very much influenced on New Year festival, Vassa (warso) festival, Thadinguyt festival, Pavaranā Festival, and Lucknii festival celebrated in Ta’ang community of Shan State in Myanmar. On the other hand, Ta’ang rites, rituals, traditional beliefs and daily life of the Ta’ang community in Myanmar are influenced by Buddhist theory.

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