This book examines the historical contexts and substantive reasons giving rise to Buddhist nationalism and aggressive attacks on Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. While the rise of Buddhist nationalism in general is analyzed and explained, the specific role, methods, and character of the militant Bodu Bala Sena (BBS: “Army of Buddhist Power”) Movement are scrutinized in particular. Whereas the motivations for attacking Muslims may be deep seated economically, elements of religious culture (ritual and symbol) are often seen as catalysts or venues for explosive acts of violence. Chapters address ... More

This book examines the historical contexts and substantive reasons giving rise to Buddhist nationalism and aggressive attacks on Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. While the rise of Buddhist nationalism in general is analyzed and explained, the specific role, methods, and character of the militant Bodu Bala Sena (BBS: “Army of Buddhist Power”) Movement are scrutinized in particular. Whereas the motivations for attacking Muslims may be deep seated economically, elements of religious culture (ritual and symbol) are often seen as catalysts or venues for explosive acts of violence. Chapters address Sinhala/Muslim relations over the past including the impact of colonialism and modernization on both the cultures and the ways in which Muslim identity has been constructed over the past 100 years involving castes, Islamic Tamils, Moors, and Sri Lanka’s “Muslims.” The authors also discuss the involvement of Buddhist monks in the political arena in Sri Lanka and Buddhist Nationalism, in particular that of the BBS’s business or capitalist in orientation and their perceived Muslim manipulation of economic forces. The BBS is further examined regarding its Anti-Muslim campaigns and how it started, is structured, and how it articulates its messages of hatred for Muslims. Confrontations including the violence in Aluthgama and the religiosity of Devanagala are topics as well as the undeniable religious contribution to this violence.