A Dictionary of All Religions and Religious Denominations/Birmans

BIRMANS, inhabitants of the Birman country in India. Their Religion originated from the same source as the Hindoo, but differs in some of its tenets. They are worshippers of Boodh, in which form they believe Vishnu appeared in his ninth incarnation, and forbade the depriving any being of life. They therefore eat no animal food; and believe that, after having undergone a number of transmigrations, they shall at last be either received to their Olympus, or sent to a place of punishment.

The Birmans do not torture their bodies like the Hindoos; but think it meritorious to mortify them by a voluntary abstemiousness and self-denial.