Revised Abstract—ICBM 2025-79
Pa-O Literature and Ethnic Identity: The Role of
Buddhist Monks in Shaping Cultural Pride and Unity
Nandiya
Bhikkhu Pekhon
Faculty of
Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
nandiya.ncc@gmail.com
Ashin Aloka
Naungtayar
Postgraduate
Institute of Pāli and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
To
present the Buddhist scripture, one of the Buddhist practitioner ethnic groups
historically based on Buddhist teaching is introduced to Buddhist scholars. This
study explores the role of Pa-O literature in shaping and reinforcing ethnic
identity among the Pa-O people, with a particular focus on the influence of
Buddhist monks as authors, educators, and cultural custodians. Pa-O is
one of the ethnic groups, among one hundred and thirty-five different ethnic
groups, in Myanmar. Ninety percent of the Pa-O population is Buddhist. The Pa-O ethnic group has its language, literature, music, cultural festivals, and national
identity. This study explored the role of Buddhist monks in shaping culture and
literature influence. Buddhist monks are the primary authors of Pa-O
literature. The role of Buddhist monks in shaping Pa-O cultural pride is an undiscovered
issue; for that reason, this study fills that gap. The objectives of this study
are to explore Pa-O literature and ethnic identity
and to discover the influence of Buddhist monks in the Pa-O literary tradition.
This paper uses mixed methods of Pa-O textual analysis and semi-structured
interviews. The participants are literary authors, community leaders, community
members, and cultural and religious leaders. Thematic analysis as a
qualitative coding method is used to identify the themes of ethnic identity,
the role of Buddhist monks, and the Pa-O literature tradition. This study finds
most authors and writers in the Pa-O language are Buddhist monks. The textbooks
for Pa-O language students are related to Buddhist teachings. Buddhist monks
play a significant role in the Pa-O community, Theravada. Buddhism is
established in Pa-O society, and Pa-O literature promotes parallels with
Buddhist teachings in the Pa-O society. This study contributes to the broader
understanding of how literature and religion intersect in ethnic identity,
offering insights that may apply to other minority cultures facing similar
challenges.
Keywords
Buddhist
monks, cultural preservation, ethnic identity, Pa-O literature, Theravada
Buddhism.
