緬甸的佛教史，是從緬族人阿奴律陀（1044-1077在位）建立蒲甘王朝後才有可靠的記載。阿奴律陀王統一國家，也擁護佛教，明令頒布上部座佛教為國教，尊高僧阿羅漢為國師，自斯里蘭卡迎請巴利文三藏經典，並在各地建造許多佛塔寺院與塑造佛像。此後2百餘年，歷代國王亦崇奉佛教，蒲甘王朝成為南傳佛教的中心，影響此後千年的佛教信仰與文化藝術。

雖然蒲甘王朝弘揚上座部佛教，但其他自古以來的信仰並沒有就此消失，如印度教、大乘佛教、密宗以及原始宗教等，仍存在於社會文化當中，塔寺建築的壁畫、裝飾、雕刻與塑像等，都可發現來自其他宗教的題材。蒲甘時期造像受到鄰近的印度帕拉王朝影響，面容冷靜，寬大的拱形眉毛，眼睛半閉，嘴角上揚，上唇微微翹起。僧服完全緊貼身體，無任何肌肉線條，豐滿圓潤。

中文語音導覽

The earliest reliable records of Buddhism in Myanmar are from the Pagan Dynasty, founded by Anuruddha, the father of the Burmese nation, who reigned from 1044-1077. Anuruddha unified the country and declared Theravada Buddhism as the national religion and the great monk Shin Arahan as the national master. The Pali Canon was introduced from Sri Lanka, and many Buddhist temples and statues were erected. Two hundred years, the ancient kings were all Buddhists, and the Pagan Dynasty became a center of Theravada Buddhism, which influenced Buddhist belief, culture and art for the next thousand years.

Although the Pagan Dynasty promoted Theravada Buddhism, other ancient beliefs, such as Hinduism, Mahayana , Vajrayāna , and local folk religions did not disappear. They still existed in the social customs, and their influence can also be seen in the wall paintings, decorations, carvings and statues of the pagodas and buildings. The artistic forms of the Pagan dynasty were influenced by the neighboring Pala Dynasty in India. Buddha images from this period have a cool expression, broad arched eyebrows, half-closed eyes, faint smile, and slightly raised upper lip. The monastic robes are completely attached to the body, and the body is full and smooth without any muscle definition.

English Audio Guide