Tai Zawti

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Tai Zawti Sect
ၵိူင်းတႆးၸေႃးတိ
Abbreviationတႆးၸေႃးတိ, ၸေႃးတိ, ဇောတိ
Formation1684
FounderVarajoti
TypeBuddhist monastic order and network of communities in Shan State, Kachin State, Mandalay, Yangon (Myanmar), and Dehong (China)
HeadquartersPaññālaṅkāra Zawti Monastery, Mohnyin, Myanmar
AffiliationsThudhamma Gaing

The Tai Zawti (Shan: တႆးၸေႃးတိ), Tai Zawti Sect (Shan: ၵိူင်းတႆးၸေႃးတိ), Zawti Sect (Shan: ၵိူင်းတႆးၸေႃးတိ, Burmese: ဇောတိဂိုဏ်း), or simply Zawti (Shan: ၸေႃးတိ, Burmese: ဇောတိ, Pali: Joti) is an austere and heterodox sect of Theravada Buddhism primarily found along the Myanmar–China border. Characterized by strict adherence to precepts and unique ritual practices, the group has historically faced persecution and remains relatively obscure outside its communities.[1]

History

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The Tai Zawti tradition traces its origins to Varajoti (1654–1744 CE), whose name derives from the Pali term for "light" or "radiance". Varajoti was ordained as a bhikkhu in 1674 CE at the age of 20. In 1684 CE, he was discovered meditating in a cave by a hunter and subsequently gathered eight disciples, forming the nucleus of the sect. Varajoti passed away in 1744 CE at the age of 90.[2]

The sect encountered significant persecution during the reign of King Hsinbyushin (1763–1776 CE), who suppressed it as heresy. Following this, around 1777 CE, the Zawti community settled in Loi Leik in Dehong, China, where they resided for at least 82 years. An attempt to seize members in Sinbyugyun [my] in 1783 CE failed due to bribery, resulting in the punishment of the captors.[2]

Subsequent relocations occurred throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1835 CE, Sao Wannawaddy and followers traveled to Rangoon (now Yangon) and established a monastery. From 1859 to 1909 CE, communities formed networks across Shan State, Kachin State, Mandalay, Yangon, and Dehong. In 1909 CE, they established a permanent monastery in Mong Yang, Mohnyin, Myanmar.[2] In 1980 CE, during the Burmese Sangha Reform, the Tai Zawti were formally absorbed into the Thudhamma Gaing (order).[2]

Beliefs and practices

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The Tai Zawti emphasize austerity and strict observance of Buddhist precepts, distinguishing them as a heterodox tradition within Theravada Buddhism.

Lay practices

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Lay adherents maintain the Five Precepts at all times, not merely on observance days. Homes feature no Buddha images; instead, dhamma altars hold lik long (palm-leaf manuscripts) of Buddhist texts. On full moon days, laypeople sleep overnight at temples. Food offered to Buddha images is disposed of in a dedicated pit and not consumed. They purchase only pre-butchered meat, abstain from alcohol, and avoid livelihoods involving livestock rearing or brokering prohibited goods such as drugs, weapons, or alcohol.[2]

Monastic practices

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Ordination occurs at the Pannyalankara Kyaung Zawti Monastery in Mohnyin, with novice ordination (poi sang long) held triennially. Monks forgo shoes or slippers, use no transportation except boats, cover their shoulders during public sermons, and employ a curtain for privacy in ceremonies. Communication with laity is mediated through a zare (intermediary). Modern technologies like mobile phones are rejected, as are contemporary music and books.[2]

Rituals include reenactments of the Story of Sumedha, where an abbot symbolically steps on a devotee to represent offering one's body as a bridge for the Buddha.[2]

Current status

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Today, the Tai Zawti maintain a decentralized network of communities across Shan State, Kachin State, Mandalay, and Yangon in Myanmar, as well as Dehong in China. They operate tai wat (temples without resident monks). The tradition remains elusive in broader Shan and Burmese society, with limited scholarly attention prior to recent ethnographic studies. The headquarters is the Pannyalankara Kyaung Zawti Monastery in Mohnyin.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Porter, Olivia (2023). Hidden in Plain Sight: The Tai Zawti Buddhists of the Myanmar-China Border (PDF) (PhD). King's College London.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Porter, Olivia (2021). "Who are the Tai Zawti? Hidden in Plain Sight" (PDF). Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Olivia Porter on the Tai Zawti of the Myanmar-China border". YouTube. 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
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