In Myanmar, the teachings of high-ranking monks, both living and
dead, to whom one is affiliated as a student can be authoritative, in addition
to the Pali canon (teachings of the Buddha as transmitted by his
disciples in early Buddhist history and recorded in suttas40) and certain
commentaries on the Pali canon (for example, those by the fifth-century
scholar Buddhaghosa). Examples from Buddhist history, such as the
famous Emperor Ashoka, are also influential. Finally, Jataka tales are
popular and can be a source of moral authority. Each of these sources is
drawn from in the following construction.