The Work of KingsThe Work of Kings is a stunning new look at the turbulent modern history and sociology of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Monkhood and its effects upon contemporary society. Using never-before translated Sinhalese documents and extensive interviews with monks, Sri Lankan anthropologist H.L. Seneviratne unravels the inner workings of this New Buddhism and the ideology on which it is based. Beginning with Anagarika Dharmapala's "rationalization" of Buddhism in the early twentieth century, which called for monks to take on a more activist role in the community, Seneviratne shows how the monks have gradually revised their role to include involvement in political and economic spheres. The altruistic, morally pure monks of Dharamapala's dreams have become, Seneviratne trenchantly argues, self-centered and arrogant, concealing self-aggrandizement behind a façade of "social service." A compelling call for reform and a forceful analysis, The Work of Kings is essential to anthropologists, historians of religion, and those interested in colonialism, nationalism, and postcolonial politics. |
Contents
Buddhism Civil Society and the Present Study | 1 |
Dharmapala and the Definition of the Monks Mission | 25 |
The Economic Stage Vidyodaya and Rural Development | 56 |
Vidyalankara The Descent into Ideology | 130 |
Social Service The Anatomy of a Vocation | 189 |
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Common terms and phrases
accepted activity Anagarika Dharmapala Asgiriya Baddegama Bengamuve bhikkhu Buddha ceremony Ceylon chief monk Christian Colombo critique culture Dambulla Dambulla monks Dhar dharma dharmadesana Dharmapala dhism Divayina doctrine economic elite establishment ethical example fact five precepts Galeboda Gnanavasa gramasamvardhana Hendiyagala Heritage Hinatiyana Hindu idea ideal ideology Inamaluve India interest Kalukondayave king laity layman liberation Madoluvave Maha Mahanayaka Mahavamsa mapala meditation ment merit missionary modern monastery monastic monasticism monk's monkhood moral movement mundane nation nationalist Nirvana Pali pirit pirivena political politicians practice preacher preaching Premadasa President protest Rahula Ravaya refers religion religious Richard Gombrich ritual role rules rural development Sangha sasana says secular sermon Sinhala Buddhist social service society Sri Lanka status stupa sutra Tamil teacher Theravada tion traditional University upasampada urban Vidyalankara monks Vidyodaya Vihara village vinaya Walpola Walpola Rahula Weber writings Yakkaduve Yakkaduve's young monks