Sinhalese nationalism, monastic power, and myth of sacred land

JUST like evergreen songs ~ Sinhala Buddhist nationalism and racism are live topics anytime in this land of compassion.

- By Mass L. Usuf

Under the guise of cultural preservation, pre-eminence is given to Buddhism, claiming that Sri Lanka is the sacred land of Buddhism and that it belongs to the Sinhalese race only.

These sentiments are characterised by blind impulsive reactions driven by emotions and prejudice, rather than by caution, rationality and objectivity. Additionally, serve as a convenient whip in the hands of politicians, racists and other several types of opportunists. Circumstances may be aggravated when the saffron clad elite who share such characteristics takes the lead. Buddha, the Dhamma and especially, the Kalama Sutta which encourages critical thinking and rejection of blind following comes to mind with profound sadness.

In Delict law, fraudulent misrepresentation involves knowingly or recklessly making a false statement that misleads another person, who relies on it in decision-making, resulting in economic loss due to the deception.

Not direct, but to draw a close analogy, matters relating to Buddhism, religion, ethnicities, nationalism are presented in a confused format to the Sinhala people by some of the monks, especially to the rural folks. In Buddhist culture a monk is highly revered and the people rely on them. A monk is a formidable “influencer” on the minds of the Buddhist population. Some of these monks, use this position to purposely inculcate divisive thoughts in the minds of the innocent Sinhala population as has been publicly known. It may be for political advantage, opportunity to self-enrich or pure racism.

On observation, it seems that under the guise of cultural preservation, preeminence is given to Buddhism, claiming that Sri Lanka is the sacred land of Buddhism and that it belongs to the Sinhalese race only. Thus, they have the prime responsibility of protecting Buddhism and this sacred land.