Buddhist Architecture in Burma

The Buddhist building structures of Burma is highly influenced by the various architectural styles of neighboring nations. Since the Buddhism was spread from India to almost all the South Asian countries, the Buddhist architectures are heavily influenced by Indian architectures. The structures were later localized and they got their own style of buildings. The major Buddhist building structures that are found in the country include pagodas, stupas, and temples. This traditional architecture of the country is primarily used for worship, pilgrimages, storing sacred Buddhist relics, etc. Indian influences can be seen in the Buddhist architecture constructed during the Pyu and Mon period. These two were influential groups who migrated to Burma. They were also first Indo-Chinese to practice Theravada Buddhism. The Buddhist architecture, stupa, is generally built in cylindrical form with the four Torana with Hti (umbrella) on the top.

In the Bagan period, the Buddhist architecture got its new localized forms. The earlier Pyu – style Buddhist architecture was transformed into monuments. New Stupas and pagodas constructed with red brick were a center for Buddhist architecture. The Ananda temple was the first temple constructed in Bagan. This temple represents the Theravada branch of Buddhism. The unique features of this temple include brick vaulted halls, statues of Burmese Buddhas, tapered roofs, and the absences of traditional terraces. Along with Ananda temple, other notable Buddhist temples and pagodas were also constructed in the Bagan period. Some of them are Bupaya Pagoda, Mahabodhi temple, Shwezigon Pagoda, Sulamani temple, etc.

(Source:https://burmese-buddhas.com/blog/buddhist-architecture-in-burma/)