Buddhist ritual displays in Sri Lanka function as political signaling rather than belief
Evidence
Even non-state-related events, such as the Sri Lankan cricket team leaving the island to play abroad, are often preceded by the sangha dispensing their blessings. That some of these ceremonies are calibrated to conspicuously emphasize Buddhism’s indefeasible status, as opposed to being rooted in deep religious belief, is evident by how the cricket team, for example, gets a blessings-filled homecoming only if it has not disgraced itself abroad. It is now standard practice for a newly elected prime minister or president to offer flowers at a Buddhist temple (usually the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy), and in so doing pay obeisance to the sangha even while reiterating the state’s Buddhist credentials. Indeed, even non-Buddhists nominated to prominent government positions are expected to visit leading Buddhist prelates before assuming office. To do otherwise would be blasphemy before Buddhist eyes and would undermine the official’s political or administrative career. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 147
Categorization
- XREF: Parallels findings on coerced ritual display and outward conformity as solidarity maintenance in other literatures. — connects to: Political Buddhism elevates ethnonationalist politics above Buddhist doctrinal values — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 51; Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is reactive, not primordial — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 105; Sanatan dharma politically absorbs other religions to dominate rather than tolerate them — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 160 (+3 more)
Broader Connections
- Sanatan dharma politically absorbs other religions to dominate rather than tolerate them
#expands(0.75) — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 160 - Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is reactive, not primordial
#complicates(0.72) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 105 - Sanatan dharma serves politically as a tool of religious assimilation and domination
#corroborates(0.72) — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 160