THE SHINPYU CEREMONY IN MYANMAR: A SOCIO-RELIGIOUS STUDY OF NOVICE ORDINATION AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY IN THERAV?DA BUDDHISM

The Shinpyu (Novice Ordination or novitiation) ceremony ritual in Myanmar, represents one of the most significant and important socio-religious traditions in Therav?da Buddhist culture. That culture, which was rooted in the life of the Buddha and institutionalized through by many centuries of Buddhist practice. Shinpyu functions not only as a religious rite of passage but also as a powerful mechanism for cultural transmission, moral education, and social cohesion in Myanmar Buddhist society. This research article examines the historical origins of Shinpyu ceremony, ritual structure, symbolic meanings, and contemporary relevance of the Shinpyu ceremony in Myanmar. In the article, using textual analysis and socio-cultural interpretation, the study highlights how Shinpyu reinforces Buddhist values, overwhelming communal identity, and adapts to modern challenges while preserving its core spiritual essence.