The Buddhist Examination in Burma (Myanmar) has more than 300 years of history, from the earliest record of the “Pahtamapyan” in 1638 CE up to today’s “Tipitaka Selected Examination.” The Buddhist Examination has been interrupted only twice during this long history: the first time for ten years when the British Empire occupied the whole of Burma and the second time for about four years during World War II. Although the contents, forms, and names of grades may have changed from time to time during these 300 long years, the “Pahtamapyan” has always been the main indicator for evaluating Buddhist knowledge in Burma. Other than aiming to understand the origin of the “Pahtamapyan,” the role it played during the imperial period, the colonial government and post-independence periods, including functional changes in these different periods, this article places emphasis on exploring the possible reasons for it continuation till today. There are three basic conclusions: firstly, the examination contents are the root of Burmese ethnic identity, ideology, ethics, culture, literature and art, which is discussed in the second chapter in this article. Secondly, in addition to being the imperial examination system for selecting scholars, the “Pahtamapyan” examination was also the main vehicle for social mobility in imperial Burma which is chronicled in chapter three. Finally, the Buddhist Examination was an important part of Burma’s political-religious relationship serving as a useful method of monk management by the government as detailed in chapter four. In exploring the Burmese Buddhist examination process, bedsides understanding the special circumstances surrounding it, one can also be aware of Burma's religious, educational and cultural relevance as well as their mutual influences. In particular, the cultural rituals and ceremonies of becoming a novice, which symbolizes becoming an adult, are closely related to the Emperor rewarding the outstanding participants in the Buddhist examination.
