THE M?LADV?RA NIK?YA IN MYANMAR: A HISTORICAL STUDY OF ITS FOUNDATION AND THE LEGACY OF OATPHO SAYADAW

The sects of monastic Nik?yas in Myanmar reflect the dynamic interaction between Vinaya interpretation, ritual practice, and historical circumstances and there are total nine Nik?yas in Myanmar Sangha organization. Among these, the M?ladv?ra Nik?ya, also known as the Dv?raga?a historically, which occupies a distinctive position due to its strict Vinaya orientation and doctrinal emphasis on bodily, verbal, and mental “doors” (dv?ra) in Buddhist practice. This article shows that the historical emergence of the M?ladv?ra Nik?ya by the life and contributions of the founder, The Most Venerable U Okkanavamsam?l?, widely known as Oatpho Sayadaw (1179–1267 Myanmar Era/1817–1905 CE). By studying the sayadaw’s educational levels, disciplinary ideas, doctrinal teachings, and institutional methods, this study shows how his new vision shaped a separate monastic identity within nineteenth-century Myanmar Theravada Buddhism. The article argues that the M?ladv?ra Nik?ya represents a principled attempt to preserve Vinaya- monastic discipline for purity and correct ritual understanding during a British colonial period and pressure.