Baptizing Burma: Religious Change in the Last Buddhist Kingdom

American Baptist Christianity was transformed in the Buddhist kingdom of Burma by missionaries who were initially horrified by the idolatry of Buddha statues. Baptizing Burma explores the history of how the mission failed to convert the country yet succeeded in transforming its religious landscape, examining how the Burmese majority positioned Buddhism to counter Christianity, how marginalized groups took on Baptist identities, and how Protestantism was reimagined as a Southeast Asian religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 20 June 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

In the summer of 1813, a young American couple from Boston set sail for Rangoon, their mission to spread the gospel. The Protestant press, captivated by tales of exotic adventures, eagerly covered their attempt to convert the Burmese. While the Burmese Buddhists fiercely resisted Christian evangelism, people from minority communities were baptized in large numbers throughout the nineteenth century. American Baptist Christianity itself underwent a remarkable transformation within the Buddhist kingdom. Missionaries who initially recoiled at the sight of Buddha statues found themselves creating tree shrines and hanging colorful Jesus paintings in their churches.

Baptizing Burma delves into the intricate history of how the American Baptist mission to Burma failed to convert the country yet succeeded in reshaping its religious landscape. Alexandra Kaloyanides explores how the Burmese majority positioned Buddhism as a counterbalance to Christianity, how marginalized groups embraced Baptist identities, and how Protestantism was reimagined as a Southeast Asian religion. Through the examination of a series of sacred objects, including the sacred book, schoolhouse, pagoda, and portrait, this book sheds light on the histories of Burma's last kingdom and the unforeseen consequences of America's first overseas mission.

The sacred book, a key artifact in religious practice, played a significant role in the missionary efforts. The missionaries introduced the Bible to the Burmese, and it quickly gained popularity among the educated elite. However, the Burmese government imposed restrictions on the printing and distribution of Christian literature, making it challenging for the missionaries to spread the gospel widely.

The schoolhouse, another important institution, became a hub for Baptist education. The missionaries established schools that taught English and provided a platform for spreading Christian values. These schools not only educated the Burmese but also helped to create a network of Baptist communities.

The pagoda, a towering structure that symbolized the Burmese religious tradition, also played a role in the missionary efforts. The missionaries attempted to convert the Burmese to Christianity by presenting it as a modern and superior religion. They built pagodas and adorned them with Christian symbols, hoping to attract the attention of the Burmese and convert them to their faith.

The portrait, a visual representation of a person or group, also played a significant role in the missionary efforts. The missionaries commissioned portraits of themselves and their converts, which were displayed in their churches and used to promote their mission. These portraits helped to create a sense of community and identity among the Baptist communities.

Despite the challenges faced by the missionaries, their efforts had a lasting impact on the religious landscape of Burma. The Burmese majority positioned Buddhism as a counterbalance to Christianity, while marginalized groups embraced Baptist identities. Protestantism was reimagined as a Southeast Asian religion, with American Baptist Christianity undergoing a transformation within the Buddhist kingdom. The missionaries' introduction of the sacred book, schoolhouse, pagoda, and portrait helped to create a network of Baptist communities and promote Christian values in Burma.

In conclusion, Baptizing Burma offers a fascinating insight into the history of how the American Baptist mission to Burma failed to convert the country yet succeeded in transforming its religious landscape. Through the examination of sacred objects and the stories of four key things—the sacred book, schoolhouse, pagoda, and portrait—this book sheds light on the histories of Burma's last kingdom and the unforeseen consequences of America's first overseas mission.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231199841