Militant Buddhism : the rise of religious violence in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand

Description

Against the backdrop of the ongoing Rohingya crisis, this book takes a close and detailed look at the rise of militant Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand, and especially at the issues of 'why' and 'how' around it. We are well aware of Christian fundamentalism, militant Judaism and Islamist Salafism-Jihadism. Extremist and violent Buddhism however features only rarely in book-length studies on religion and political violence. Somehow, the very idea of Buddhist monks as the archetypical 'world renouncers' exhorting frenzied mobs to commit acts of violence against perceived 'enemies of the religion' seems to be outright ludicrous. Recent events in Myanmar/Burma, but also in Thailand and Sri Lanka, however indicate that a militant strand of Theravada Buddhism is on the rise. How can this rise be explained, and what role do monks play in that regard? These are the two broad questions that this book explores. Peter Lehr is Lecturer in Terrorism Studies at the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV), University of St. Andrews, UK. An area specialist on South and Southeast Asia, Dr Lehr has published on a wide range of topics, including religion and (political) violence.--  Read more... Intro Contents Chapter 1: Introduction: Between Dhamma-Ghosa and Bheri-Ghosa Approaches: Theories and Methods Issues: Some Comments on the Research Process Structures: The Way Ahead References Chapter 2: The Sound of War Drums: Political Theology and the Return of Religion Definitions: Religion, Violence, and Holy Wars Resurgence: Religion and Politics Conceptualizations: Religion and Violence Reconstructions: Theravāda Buddhism as a Socio-Political Force Conclusion: The Limits of 'World-Renouncing' References Chapter 3: The Age of Suffering: Buddhist Discourses on Non-violence in Theory and PracticeBasics: The Dialectics of Non-violence and Violence Pathways: Monks, Householders, and Violence Ambiguities: Soldiers, Kings, and Violence Justifications: Towards a 'Righteous War' Doctrine Conclusions: The Unavoidability of Violence in the Age of Dukkha References Chapter 4: Monks in the Age of Suffering: World Renouncers and World Conquerors Ideals: Being a Monk in Theory and Practice Exchanges: Monks and Laity Pillars: Monks and Traditional Politics Entrepreneurs: Monks in a Time of TransitionEvaluations: Traditional Monks and Contemporary Monks References Chapter 5: Sri Lanka: "This Is the Country of Us Sinhala People" Foundations: Sinhalese Buddhists as an Imagined Minority Under Siege Reconstructions: The Rise of Political Monks Strands: Anagārika Dharmapāla, Walpola Rahula, and Jathika Chintanaya Interpretations: Anti-Muslim Rhetoric and the (Imagined) Extinction of the Sinhalese Race Evaluation: The Characteristics of Sinhalese Militant Buddhism References Chapter 6: Burma: "You Cannot Sleep Next to a Mad Dog" Context: Burmese Notions of Nationalism and of Buddhism Under SiegeActivists: The Rise of Political Monks Firebrands: Legitimizing Buddhist Extremism and Militancy Evaluations: Burmese Militant Monks and the Theme of Being Under Siege Caveats: Views of the Silent Majority References Chapter 7: Thailand: "It Is Time to Arm Thai Buddhists" Foundations: The Relations Between Sangha and State in Thailand Reconstructions: The Gradual Politicization of the Thai Sangha Mara: Phra Kittiwutthō's 'Holy War' Against Communism Guns: Militant Buddhism in the Deep South Evaluations: No Country for Militant MonksReferences Chapter 8: Comparative Analysis: "Buddhism Is Not a Suicidal Utopianism" Basics: Similarities and Dissimilarities Narratives: The Theme of Being 'Under Siege' and the Justification of (Defensive) Violence Cosmologies: Parallels with Other Religions Epiphenomena: How 'Buddhist' Is Buddhist Violence? Conclusion: The Unsustainability of 'Dharmacracy' References Chapter 9: Outlook: How to Deal with War Monks? Law: Bringing Them to Justice Media: Denying Them the 'Oxygen of Publicity' Reformation: Back to Charismatic Devotion