The Radical Buddhist Monks And Their Goal
R.M.B. Senanayake
I refer to Mr. Kalana Senaratne’s analysis and explanation of the radicalization of Buddhist monks and the emergence of extremist organizations such as the Bodu Bala Sena.
I have a different explanation of this social phenomenon. This is a sociological explanation and not a passing of judgment.
The Buddhist monks had traditionally occupied a place of honor and prestige in society. With such prestige also went power – soft power but nevertheless power. But with the colonial occupations they lost such position. They saw that Independence in 1948 only gave power to westernized secular liberal political elite who did not provide for the restoration of their former special position.
They had Anagarika Dharmapala to inspire them to look for a revival of Buddhist supremacy and hegemony in the State –really it is hegemony for the Buddhist monks. I am quoting from Wikipedia about the Anagarika.
Dharmapala and his associates very much encouraged and contributed to something aptly called the “ethnocratic state.”
What he wanted was the restoration of the primacy of Buddhism as the religion of the State. SWRD realized the potential of this Buddhist revivalist movement and harnessed it for his own political ride to power. But he over-estimated his ability to direct and control the movement. He believed in the western liberal values unlike those who have not imbibed these values and who would come to power with time in a society where the medium of education was in the Sinhala language. A language is more than a means of communication. It is a vehicle of culture as well. Of course SWRD adopted Buddhism as his religion to get political legitimacy in the newly emerging society.