Dharmapala’s anti-colonial rhetoric was later manipulated to justify civil war.

Evidence

It is difficult to defend Dharmapala against claims of bigotry, although it is also clear that his rhetoric was designed to shame his fellows for embracing all things foreign and, therefore, alien to Sinhalese Buddhist culture. He wanted the Sinhalese to appreciate their ancient, splendid heritage rooted in Buddhism. His harangues were certainly inspired by deliberate British efforts to marginalize Buddhism, but his racist rhetoric also laid the groundwork for subsequent generations of monks and politicians who adeptly manipulated Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism to create an ethnocentric state and thereby propel the island toward civil war. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 116

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Dharmapala constructed Sinhalese identity through racialized Aryan claims against colonial others. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 112; Dharmapala’s racist rhetoric seeded later manufactured ethnocentric nationalism leading to civil war — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 116; The label of ethnic civil war was a political tool used to justify inaction. — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed: Religion and…, 331 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Dharmapala’s racist rhetoric seeded later manufactured ethnocentric nationalism leading to civil war #exemplifies (0.95) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 116
• The label of ethnic civil war was a political tool used to justify inaction. #expands (0.80) — Michael A. Sells, The Bridge Betrayed, 331
• The monks’ political manipulation accelerated nationalist entrenchment and blocked peace #qualifies (0.80) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 156