<P> The lands of the Mon and Pyu peoples in Myanmar show extensive evidence of Theravada presence in the Irrawaddy and Chao Phraya basins from the 5th century CE onwards . Theravada Buddhism in Burma initially coexisted with other forms of Buddhism and other religions . After the decline of Buddhism in the Indian mainland, Theravada Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka mounted missionary efforts in Burma, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, and they were successful in converting all these regions to Theravada Buddhism . </P> <P> King Anawrahta (1044--1078); the founder of the Pagan Empire, adopted the Theravādin Buddhist faith from Sri lanka, building numerous Buddhist temples at his capital of Pagan . Invasions from the Burmese and the Mongols weakened Theravada in this region and it had to be reintroduced from Sri Lanka . During the Mon Hanthawaddy Kingdom (1287--1552), Theravada Buddhism was the dominant religion in Burma, with strong ties to Sri Lankan Buddhism . One of their kings, Dhammazedi, is particularly known for his reformation of Burmese Buddhism from the Sri Lankan Mahavihara tradition between 1476 and 1479 . Theravada remained the official religion of the subsequent Burmese Taungoo Dynasty (1510--1752). </P> <P> During the reign of the Khmer King Jayavarman VII (reigned c. 1181--1218), Theravada Buddhism was promoted by the royal family and Sri Lankan monks, including his son Tamalinda who himself had traveled to Sri Lanka . During the 13th and 14th centuries, Theravada became the dominant religion of Cambodia, and monasteries replaced the local priestly classes . The Theravāda faith was also adopted by the Thai kingdom of Sukhothai as the state religion during the reign of Ram Khamhaeng (1237 / 1247 - 1298). Theravāda Buddhism was further reinforced during the Ayutthaya period (14th--18th century), becoming an integral part of Thai society . </P> <P> The modern era brought new challenges to the Buddhist religion such as the colonization of traditionally Buddhist Asian countries by Western states, which weakened the traditional political structures which supported the religion as well as criticism and competition from Christianity . Modern wars, communism, the growth of capitalism, science and regional political instability are also influential pressures on modern Buddhism . </P>

Who raised buddhism from a local sect to a world religion