Modern Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism’s founding figure emerged from Buddhism’s colonial marginalization

Evidence

The British considered Dharmapala a homosexual, although they did not publicize what others also suspected; the minorities considered him a racist. Dharmapala was certainly insensitive and hostile toward all things un-Sinhalese and non-Buddhist, but his attitude must be viewed within the context of Buddhism’s marginalized and diminished status in pre-independence Sri Lanka. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 111

Categorization

• QUESTION: The British reading Dharmapala as homosexual while not publicizing it is oddly suggestive — worth chasing what role this suspicion played in official attitudes toward the Buddhist revival.
• XREF: connects to: Nationalist scholars framed Buddhism and Sinhalese identity as inseparable, dehumanizing non-Buddhists — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 79; Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is reactive, not primordial — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 105; Sinhalese Buddhist identity was imagined long before modern nationalists weaponized it — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 85 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is reactive, not primordial #corroborates (0.90) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 105
• Sinhalese Buddhist identity was antiquarian but its modern nationalist ideology is reinterpreted and manipulated #corroborates (0.85) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 85
• Sinhalese Buddhist identity was imagined long before modern nationalists weaponized it #expands (0.80) — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 85