Buddhism in Sinhalese Society 1750-1900: A Study of Religious Revival and ChangeBuddhism in Sinhalese Society 1750-1900: A Study of Religious Revival and Change by Kitsiri Malalgoda delves into the transformation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka during a pivotal period in the island's history. Drawing on Weber's concept of Buddhism's evolution from a monastic tradition to a world religion, Malalgoda examines how Sinhalese Buddhism adapted to meet the needs of the peasant laity and how it navigated its relationship with colonial secular authorities. The book explores the religious revival and societal changes that unfolded in response to colonial pressures and Christian missionary activities, particularly focusing on how Buddhism responded to the challenges posed by British rule and the subsequent loss of state patronage. The study is divided into two parts: the first deals with internal transformations within the Buddhist monastic order, including the schisms and controversies that arose, while the second addresses the Buddhist-Christian confrontation that shaped modern Sinhalese religious identity. Malalgoda highlights how organizational changes within Buddhism, such as the rise of new monastic fraternities and lay involvement through voluntary associations, allowed Buddhism to regain strength and assert its presence against missionary efforts. By the end of the 19th century, Buddhists had successfully adopted modern tools like education, preaching, and the printing press to defend their faith and engage with broader societal changes. This work offers a critical historical perspective on the resilience and revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka during a time of profound cultural and political shifts. This title was originally published in 1976. Many titles in the Voices Revived program are also newly available as ebooks, offered at a discounted price to support wider access to scholarly work. |
Contents
| 2 | |
| 13 | |
UP TO 1815 | |
AUTHORITY AND DISSENT IN THE SIYAM | |
DIVISION INTO MULAVAMSA | |
ITS ORIGIN AND | |
DECLINE OR REVIVAL? | |
BEGINNINGS | |
PROTEST CONSOLIDATED | |
CONCLUSION | |
Chronological Table 17501900 | |
BIBLIOGRAPHY | |
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Common terms and phrases
activities administration Alwis Amarapura fraternity Amarapura Nikaya Ambagahapitiye Ambagahavatte appointed Asgiriya authority Balapitiya Bentara bhikkhus Bopagoda British Buddhadatta Buddhist monks Burma caste Catholic Ceylonese chief monk Christian missionaries Church Colombo colonial controversy Culavamsa Disava doctrine Durave Dutch ecclesiastical established European Galle Gogerly governor Goyigama Hardy higher ordination Hikkaduve Hindu History Ibid India island JRAS(CB Kandy Kandyan Convention Kandyan kingdom Kandyan provinces Kapugama Karatota Karave King of Kandy Kotte laity Lamkagoda laymen letter low country Maha Nayaka Mahavamsa Malvatta maritime provinces Matara Mission Mohottivatte monasteries monastic Mongkut nineteenth century Office Olcott organization P. E. Pieris Pali political Portuguese practice priests pupils Rajasimha Ramanna fraternity regard relation religion religious Salagama Salagama monks samaneras samgha Samgharaja Saranamkara Sav Sat Dam Siam Silva Silvat sima Sinhalese Siyam fraternity social Sumamgala temple lands Theosophical Society Theosophists traditional upasampada upasampada ceremony Vihare village vinaya Wesleyan wrote