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The Mons lived in Kyaukse plain in centrl Burma. Mons came to know about the Indian culture through the Indian traders. In the 3rd centuryBC Ashoka sent the missionaries to Burma for propagating Buddhist faith.
Emperor Ashoka was the grand son of Chandra Gupt Maurya and Samprati was grand son of Ashoka. Before adopting Buddhism Ashoka was a follower of Jain religion. Its authentic proof is that in his iscriptions there is no clear cut mention of him being the follower of Buddhism.
Mr.J.S.R. Furlong [36] mentions 'So slight difference between Jainism and Buddhism that he did not think it necessary to make public profession of Buddhism till about12 regional (247 BC) so that nearly, if not all, his rock inscriptions are really those of a jain soverign. The Mon kings ruled from their three capitals in lower Burma, namely Thaton, Martaban, and Pegu. Anawaratha was a first Burmese king. He signed himself with a Sanskrit named 'Aniruddha' ( the resistless). He came across a wandering monk Shin Arhan (Venerable Arhat) -an elderly monk of high standing. The king's works of public utility included construction of dams, reservoirs, canals etc within a period of about 33 years. King Anawaratha built Ananda temple and started the construction of Shwezigon in 1054 but lateron it was completed by his successor Kyanzitths. Anawaratha's end came unexpectedly. He was gorged to death by a wild buffalo while hunting it from the back of an elephant. He died at the age of 75. Following Anawaratha's death in 1077 Shin Arhan continued to be the chief spiritual counsel to Anawaratha and his successor, Kyanzittha. The Mon script carried Burma's trade with the Jainas: the modern Swetambaras and Digambara communities. The changes in the idol making and in paintings had already been started in the Pyu which was according to swetamber concepts. i.e the deity statues were adorned with ornaments and even the standing postures were decorated with kingly dresses. Later on, the same very idols were adopted by Buddhists and were called as Buddha statues.
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