A. A. Simonia Candidate of Economic Sciences Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Keywords: Myanmar, ASEAN, Buddhists, Burmese Muslims, Buddhist radicalism, 969 movement, Rohingya, monk Ashin Wirathu, President Thein Sein, Aung San Suu Kyi Since the self-dissolution of the military junta in Myanmar in early 2011, there have been increasingly disturbing reports of inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts. First, there were clashes in Rakhine State (Arakan) between indigenous Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims who do not have citizenship of the Union of Myanmar. But in 2013, simmering divisions broke out between Buddhists and Burmese Muslims in other parts of the country. Monk Ashin Viratu became the spiritual leader of the anti-Islamic protests. Given that Myanmar has assumed the chairmanship of the ASEAN-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (2014) for the first time, as well as the upcoming 2015 general parliamentary elections, the above-mentioned destabilizing events are particularly dangerous for Myanmar's further transition to democracy. RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN MYANMAR Burma has always been considered one of the most tolerant countries. In the center of Yangon (until 1989 - Rangoon), the former capital [1], on an area within one block there are: the oldest Buddhist Sule pagoda (existing for more than 2000 years, which contains the sacred hair of the Buddha), a Hindu temple, a mosque, a Christian church and even a synagogue-the only one in the country built back in the 19th century. It was founded in 1854 by a community of Iraqi Jews and is still active today, although there are very few adherents of Judaism in Burma. This square in the city center is considered a symbol of religious tolerance. The country with a population of about 60 million people is home to 135 ethnic groups that speak different languages and profess different religions. Even in colonial times, Burma developed a "pluralistic society", which was a motley mixture of Eu ... Read more