What was the philosophy of life in Southeast Asia, especially Myanmar, before the introduction of Buddhism? Was there any philosophy beyond ideologies focused on animism? The issue is why the followers of Buddhism have drastically declined in India, the place of its origin, while it is still the predominant philosophy of life in Myanmar and other parts of Southeast Asia. Limited evidence suggests that before the rise of Pagan Empire in in 11th century CE Myanmar, the religious sphere was dominated by a mixture of Tantric Buddhism and native animistic beliefs. At least two facts emerge – there had been an absence of a clear and comprehensive religious philosophy before King Anawratha, and thereafter, communities gradually embraced Buddhist philosophy as a state religion. While unlike India where Buddhism has been generally replaced by other religions, the majority of people in much of Burmese/Thai region continue Buddhist philosophy until the present. This paper reflects on whether the continuation in Buddhist beliefs was a result of the absence of a philosophical and structured lifestyle at the higher spiritual level in the pre-Pagan period.