Tine-yin-tha theology: Towards a people's theology in the union of Myanmar

Abstract

This thesis, a type of bibliographic research, seeks to review the historical background of Myanmar politics from which one discovers the sources of the conflict between the majority Burmese people and ethnic minorities. The main cause of this political conflict is a political system molded by the “Myanmar way” of religious philosophy. This thesis attempts to investigate from a theological perspective the problems of the Myanmar religious philosophical system.

This thesis also seeks to discover a path to social and religious mutual understanding and common ground between the majority Burmese Buddhist people and the so-called ethnic Christians, on the basis of religious-cultural analysis. This research highlights the strategy of the “Myanmar way” in the ruling system throughout Burmese history, especially in the era of the Present Military Government. This ruling system victimises, oppresses, and causes the same suffering for both the Buddhist majority and the Christian ethnic minorities. To portray the people’s response to the oppression, this thesis focuses on the two successive nationalist movements (“first nationalism'' and “second nationalism” which are products of different periods, the Colonial era and the current Military regime.

Finally, this study seeks to discover a new identity for Myanmar Christianity firmly rooted in and coming out of Myanmar history and Myanmar identity. The research searches deeply to find the existential reality of the Myanmar people. Thе heart of this thesis is an attempt to describe a Myanmar contextualized people’s theology which is different from other "people- theologies" such as "Minjung Theology” (Korea) and the “Theology of Struggle” (Philippines). In this research Myanmar people’s theology draws on an analysis of religious plurality, an Asian theology of poverty, and biblical experiences and texts. The Burmese term for the common people, Tine-yin-tha, is explained in the text. This thesis is a beginning, a first attempt, to stretch out "Tine-yin-tha Theology, a theology for the people of Myanmar.