A tolerant religion’s peaceful values do not prevent nationalist militarism by its adherents

Evidence

Buddhism preaches tolerance and pacifism. However, many of its adherents among the majority Sinhalese Buddhists in Sri Lanka have resorted to ethnocentrism and militarism. Various arguments have been advanced to explain this paradox, although most objective observers agree that political Buddhism, which emphasizes politics over Buddhist values, and Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism stoked ethnocentrism and militarism. This study argues that they have also contributed to a Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist ideology that is now fully embedded and institutionalized as state policy. A fundamental tenet of that nationalist ideology is the belief that Sri Lanka is the island of the Sinhalese, who in turn are ennobled to preserve and propagate Buddhism. The ideology privileges Sinhalese Buddhist superordination, justifies subjugation of minorities, and suggests that those belonging to other ethnoreligious communities live in Sri Lanka only due to Sinhalese Buddhist sufferance. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 35

Categorization

• XREF: Professed religious conviction diverging from measured practice speaks to the reader’s question about whether professed conviction predicts actual bias. — connects to: Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism independently blocks peace beyond the LTTE’s intransigence — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 300; Sinhalese nationalist violence against Christians is opportunistic rather than primordial — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 245; Belief content may not cause intergroup violence; solidarity may instead. — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 532 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• A religion’s violence depends on context, not inherent character #expands (0.95)
• Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism independently blocks peace beyond the LTTE’s intransigence #exemplifies (0.92) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 300
• Sinhalese nationalist violence against Christians is opportunistic rather than primordial #exemplifies (0.85) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 245
• Sanatan dharma politically absorbs other religions to dominate rather than tolerate them #exemplifies (0.85) — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 160
• Religion carries no necessary political meaning but is anchored in tendential historical formations #expands (0.85)
• Belief content may not cause intergroup violence; solidarity may instead. #corroborates (0.80) — Norenzayan, Ara, Big gods - how religion transformed…, 532