1236 MONKSfrom Kañcipuram, INDIA, revive the Theravada
monastic line in Sri Lanka.1279 Last extant inscriptions of any Theravada nunnery in
Burma (Myanmar).1287 Pagan in Burma (Myanmar) looted by Mongol in-
vaders; decline of Pagan monuments begins.ca. 1300 A Sri Lankan tradition of WILDERNESS MONKSarrives in
Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand. Theravada Buddhism
spreads to Laos. Thai Theravada monasteries appear
in Cambodia shortly before the Thais win their inde-
pendence from the Khmers of Cambodia.ca. 1500 In Cambodia, Visnuite Temple at Angkor Wat
(founded in the twelfth century as a site of Hindu
worship) becomes a Buddhist center.1753 King Klrti S ́rlRajasimha reinstates Buddhism in Sri
Lanka by inviting monks from the Thai court.1777 King Rama I founds the current dynasty in Thailand.1803 Sri Lankans ordained in the Burmese city of Amara-
pura found the Amarapura Nikaya in Sri Lanka.1829 Thailand’s Prince Mongkut (later King Rama IV)
founds the Thammayut sect.ca. 1862 Wilderness monks travel from Sri Lanka to Burma
(Myanmar) for reordination, returning to establish the
Ramañña Nikaya.1871 Fifth Theravada Council is held at Rangoon in Burma.1873 Mohottivatte Gunananda defeats Christian missionar-
ies in a public debate, sparking a nationwide revival
of pride in Sri Lankan Buddhist traditions.1879 Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, founders of
the Theosophical Society, arrive in Sri Lanka from
America and assist in a revival of Buddhism.ca. 1900 Two wilderness monks, Achan Sao Kantasllo and
Achan Man Bhuridatto, revive the forest monk tradi-
tions in Thailand.1956 The Sri Lanka Freedom Party wins a pivotal election in
a landslide by promising that Sinhalese would become
the national language and Buddhism the state religion.1967 THICHNHATHANH(1926– ) is nominated for the
Nobel Peace Prize, an acknowledgement of his anti-
war work in Vietnam. Hanh coined the term ENGAGED
BUDDHISMto describe practices that emphasize social
service and nonviolent activism.1970s Refugees from war in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos
settle in North America, Australia, and Europe, where
they establish Buddhist communities.SOUTHEASTASIA