Legend attributes the first Buddhist doctrine in Burma to 228 BCE when Sohn Uttar Sthavira; one of the royal monks to Emperor Ashoka the Great of India; came to the country with other monks and sacred texts. However; the era of Buddhism truly began in the 11th century after King Anawrahta of Pagan (Bagan) was converted to Theravada Buddhism. Today; 89% of the population of Burma is Theravada Buddhist.

Prome; renamed Pyay; is a town in Pegu (Bago) Division in lower Burma; located on the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River some 260 km northwest of Rangoon.