Book

Buddhism betrayed?: religion, politics and violence in Sri Lanka

The University of Chicago Press ; The University of Chicago Press, Ltd.Chicago, Ill. • Published In 1992 • Pages: xix, 203

By: Tambiah, Stanley Jeyaraja.

Abstract
This document discusses the role and participation of Buddhist monks and lay persons, adherents of a non-violent philosophy, in the fierce political violence of the Sinhalese majority against the Tamil minority population in Sri Lanka. Tambiah explores the ways in which this seemingly inconsistent behavior takes place '…by looking closely at the past century of Sri Lankan history and tracing the development of Buddhism's participation in such ethnic conflict and collective violence' (cover). The author analyzes the ways in which this participation has, over time, come to change the very meaning of Buddhism itself as a lived reality.
Subjects
Cultural identity and pride
Ethnic stratification
Brawls, riots, and banditry
Tribe and nation
Prophets and ascetics
Religious denominations
culture
Sinhalese
HRAF PubDate
1997
Region
Asia
Sub Region
South Asia
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Types
Sociologist
Indigenous Person
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 1995
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
1860s-1980s
Coverage Place
Sri Lanka
Notes
Stanley Jeyaraja Tambiah
Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-193) and index
LCCN
91038944
LCSH
Sinhalese (Sri Lankan people)