Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism
Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is a
Sinhalese nationalism has generally been influenced by the contents of the
Origins
The Sinhalese Buddhist national chronicle Mahavamsa ('Great Chronicle'), composed in the sixth century CE by Buddhist monks, contains historical accounts and mythological stories that have played a significant role in shaping and strengthening Sinhalese Buddhist identity.
Myths
The Mahavamsa, a 6th century CE chronicle, has had a profound influence on Sinhalese Buddhist culture and identity. The text contains mythological accounts of the Buddha's visits to Sri Lanka, during which he is said to have sanctified the island as a haven for Buddhism and entrusted its protection to the Sinhalese people.[13]
The Mahavamsa also recounts the story of the Buddhist warrior king Dutugamunu and his battle against the Tamil king Elara to unite Sri Lanka under a Buddhist monarch. While the text depicts Elara as a good ruler, Dutugamunu's campaign is portrayed as necessary for the restoration and glory of Buddhism on the island.[14]
Scholars have noted that the Mahavamsa's narratives have contributed to a belief among some Sinhalese Buddhists that they are the Buddha's chosen people and that Sri Lanka is a sacred Buddhist land.
Contributions of Anagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala was one of the leading contributors to the Buddhist revival of the 19th century that led to the creation of Buddhist institutions and Buddhist schools to match those of the Christian missionaries, and to the independence movement of the 20th century. He illustrated the first three points in a public speech:
- This bright, beautiful island was made into a Paradise by the Aryan Sinhalese before its destruction was brought about by the barbaric vandals. Its people did not know irreligion... Christianity and polytheism are responsible for the vulgar practices of killing animals, stealing, prostitution, licentiousness, lying and drunkenness... The ancient, historic, refined people, under the diabolism of vicious paganism, introduced by the British administrators, are now declining slowly away.[18]
He called upon the Sinhalese people to rise. He strongly protested consumption of alcohol, killing of cattle and promoted vegetarianism.[19]
Relationship with other religions in Sri Lanka
Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism has a fractious relationship with other religious communities like Christians and Muslims,
In recent times the relationship between Sinhala Buddhist Nationalists and Sri Lankan Catholics have improved over several shared interests such as opposition to sterilisation and banning private tuition classes during religious holidays. Cardinal
Organisations
Parliamentary
- Jathika Hela Urumaya
- Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Pakshaya
- Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (Glorious Hela heritage)
- Sihala Urumaya (Sinhalese heritage)
- Sinhala Maha Sabha
- National Freedom Front
- Apé Jana Bala Party
Militant
Logo | Name of movement | Country or region served | Ideology | Active? | Successor | Notes |
Bodu Bala Sena | Sri Lanka Myanmar |
Anti-liberalism
|
Yes | No | Led by Galagoda Atthe Gnasaara, far-right by position | |
Patriotic People's Front
|
Sri Lanka | Marxism | No (1989) | National People's Power | Armed wing of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna | |
Sinhala Ravaya | Sri Lanka | Anti-liberalism
|
Yes | No | Allied with Bodu Bala Sena | |
Sinhala National Force | Sri Lanka | Fundamentalism | Yes | No | Minor group | |
Ravana Balaya | Sri Lanka | Ravanism | Yes | No | Opposes Indian influence in Sri Lanka | |
Sinhalese Force | Sri Lanka | Ultranationalism | No (1950–1955) | No successor | Used Nazi salute to greet its leaders | |
Jathika Vimukthi Peramuna | Sri Lanka | Corporatism | No | Sihala Urumaya | Forced non-Sinhalese to leave Sinhalese areas |
See also
- Criticism of Buddhism
- Walisinghe Harischandra
- Black July
- Dewa (people)
Notes
- ISBN 9781612346601.
the Mahavamsa is a combination of myth, history, lineage, religion, and politics. It later became a tool for the creation of Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism and a document that determined the divine right of the Sinhalese to inhabit the island.
- ISBN 9780822535508.
The greatest importance of the Mahavamsa is not as history but as a symbol — and as a motivating force behind Sinhalese nationalism.
- ISBN 9780791493670.says, the key to modern Sinhala national identity lies in the linking of religion and the people in Sri Lanka's ancient chronicle tradition. As we see, according to the Mahavamsa, Sinhalas are specially chosen by the Buddha and their political unity guarantees the survival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, just as their political identity is guaranteed by their espousal of Buddhism.
As Heinz Bechert
- ^ DeVotta 2007, p. 50.
- SSRN 1567618.)
The Sinhala-Buddhist worldview has been shaped and reshaped by the myths and the monkish chronicles such as the Mahavamsa, Culavamsa which underscore two crucial issues, the rightful heir of the state (Dhammadipa) and Sri Lanka as the repository of Buddhist message. Both these two issues have shaped the popular psyche and political discourses.
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(help - ISBN 9780739192238.
Buddhist nationalism has its roots in the Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Culavamsa, texts unique to Sinhalese Buddhism.
- ISBN 9783825806378.
The ethnocentric character of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, which provides the ideological basis for the present Sinhala Buddhist nationalism, has its roots in the construction of the identity of the Sinhala people as one chosen to safeguard Buddhism. Chosenness here is part of a historical consciousness, mainly supported by post-canonical Pali literature - especially, the Mahavamsa - which, in one of its clauses, justifies killing for the sake of religion.
- ^ McGowan, William (2 August 2012). "Buddhists Behaving Badly". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
Militant Buddhism there has its roots in an ancient narrative called the Mahavamsa (Great Chronicle), which was composed by monks in the sixth century.
- ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
- ^ Deegalle 2006, p. 138.
- ^ Bartholomeusz 2005, p. 142.
- ^ DeVotta 2007, p. 6.
- ^ McGowan, William (2 August 2012). "Buddhists Behaving Badly". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
The Sinhalese take this as a sign that they are the Buddha's chosen people, commanded to "preserve and protect" Buddhism in its most pristine form.
- ISBN 9780791493670.
The campaign against Elara is described at some length in the Mahavamsa, and it is clear that Dutthagamini does not move against Elara because the Tamil king was unjust, cruel, or tyrannical. The Mahavamsa points out that Elara was a good ruler, and, when he is killed, Dutthagamini has him cremated honorably, and erects a monument in his memory. In constructing the "Dutthagamini epic" as he does, Mahanama wants to make clear that the heroic task in hand is not the defeat of injustice but the restoration of Buddhism. The overthrow of the Tamil king is required first and foremost because Sri Lanka cannot be united unless the monarch is Buddhist. [...] The main point is the honor Dutthagamini brings "to the doctrine of the Buddha," and this greater good justifies the violence required to bring it about. [...] Mahanama's [author of the Mahavamsa] lesson for monarchs remains consistent: be as strong as you need to be to maintain the Buddhist state; be supportive of the Sangha and willing to defeat the enemy by force.
- ^ DeVotta 2007, p. 8.
- ^ Bartholomeusz 2005, p. 20.
- ^ Bartholomeusz 2005, p. 50.
- Guruge1965:482
- ^ http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=148072 [dead link]
- ^ "Neo-fascism on the rise in Sri Lanka". gulfnews.com.
- ^ Sri Lankan Buddhist monks protest against proselytizing Christians AP Worldstream - January 22, 2004
- ^ Lanka Buddhists take on Church Daily Pioneer - June 9, 2009
- ^ Maheswaran threatens Tamil religious unity Archived 2009-03-04 at the Wayback Machine The Sunday Leader - January 18, 2004
- ^ Hindu-Buddhist Friendship Society soon Sunday Observer - May 30, 2004
- ^ "For Sri Lankan Buddhists, Card Malcolm Ranjith is a 'good leader'". Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Archbishop rejects secularisation ideology". Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Bodu Bala Sena Secretary General Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero Meets Catholic Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for Discussions". 15 December 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ "Sri Lanka: Bodu Bala Sena disrupts peace". www.csw.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
- ^ "Bodu Bala Sena (BBS or Buddhist Power Force)".
- ^ The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka. 2018.
References
- Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Ceylon1965
- DeVotta, Neil. "The Utilisation of Religio-Linguistic Identities by the Sinhalese and Bengalis: Towards General Explanation". Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, Vol. 39, No. 1 (March 2001), pp. 66–95.
- Tennakoon Vimalananda 'Buddhism in Ceylon under the Christian powers', 1963
- Wijewardena 'The Revolt in the Temple', Sinha Publications, 1953