Shin Arahan

The Venerable Shin Arahan (c. 1034 – 1115) was primate of the Pagan Kingdom from 1056 to 1115.

The monk, a native of Thaton Kingdom, is the religious adviser to four Pagan kings from Anawrahta to Alaungsithu.

He is credited with converting Anawrahta to Theravada Buddhism, and overseeing the subsequent reformation of the Buddhist school throughout the kingdom.

However, evidence strongly suggests that the Theravada Buddhism of Shin Arahan and early Pagan was one strongly influenced by Hinduism as compared to later more orthodox standards.

Within 75 years of Shin Arahan's death, the Buddhism of Pagan will be realigned with the Mahavihara school of Ceylon although his Conjeveram-Thaton will school last 200 more years before finally dying out.

Nonetheless, his conversion of Anawrahta is viewed as a key turning point in the history of Theravada Buddhism.

The powerful king's embrace greatly helps stabilize the Buddhist school, which had hitherto been in retreat elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia.

The success of Pagan Empire makes possible the Buddhist school's later spread in mainland Southeast Asia in the 13th and 14th centuries.

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