In 1904-1905 there emerged a modern nationalist movement with the formation of the Young Men s Buddhist Association on the model of the Young Men Christian Association. Originally this association was religious and cultural and it maintained that to promote Buddhism was to promote Myanmar culture. It was not political in the initial stage but very soon this association assumed a political character and provided the basis of future movements for national independence and the monks also played a role in these movements, as did writers and journalists. So, Myanmar modern nationalist movement was Buddhism inspired. With regard to the second part of the question, Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt replied that Myanmar is a secular state and Buddhism is not the State Religion although the majority of Myanmars are Buddhists.
Due recognition is given to other faiths.
But the government recognizes the fact that religion in general, not just Buddhism, has a major role to play to salvage the nation and the people from the ravages of material progress. The Government recognizes that Buddhism as well as other religions plays a major role in the maintenance and refinement of the cultural life of the people. U Kyaw Win - Deputy Director General, Department of Culture U Kyaw Win commented that Union Culture, which includes the culture of the national races needed to be elaborated, especially their intangible culture, since Myanmar culture is Union culture. Reply - Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt said he used the term Myanmar culture not Bama culture. That, it therefore encompasses all 135 nationalities.