When Mountains Melted

Book excerpt: The First Myanmar Empire of Bagan has a fascinating hidden history. While many historians claim that Myanmar’s history is Buddhist, the second emperor, King Kyansittah (AD 1040–1113) had faith in Jesus Christ and built the famous Ananda Temple, which is today a famous tourist attraction in the city of Bagan, Myanmar. In When Mountains Melted, author Khin Maung Phone Ko explores the Christian origins of Myanmar’s empire, providing historical evidence that points to a lineage of Christian thought that survived in Bagan for a hundred years, from AD 1085 to 1185. When Mountains Melted also discusses how Bagan’s political ideology was remarkably similar to modern-day democratic systems, and it shows how Myanmar was based on concepts of basic human rights, freedom of worship, freedom of expression, and national defense. Myanmar has a hidden history, and When Mountains Melted reveals the Christian roots of the First Myanmar Empire of Bagan. The hope is that this revealed Christian era of Myanmar’s history can provide the template for a revival in present- day Myanmar—an awakening to democracy, unity, strength, and ministry.