Theravada Buddhism : contrary to nationalism?
This dissertation demonstrates how there are potentially core elements in Theravada Buddhism, relating to the religion's conception of a general order of existence (namely, the principles of impermanence, putting aside of self, and suffering), which may retain significant resonance in believ...
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| Format: | Theses and Dissertations |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10356/76113 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | This dissertation demonstrates how there are potentially core elements in
Theravada Buddhism, relating to the religion's conception of a general order of
existence (namely, the principles of impermanence, putting aside of self, and
suffering), which may retain significant resonance in believers' consciousness.
The resulting narrative frame may be contradictory to the modem-day logic of
nationalism, especially where it involves national identity and a desire for
political sovereignty. To a lesser degree, there is also a certain individualistic
streak in Theravada Buddhism that may run counter to how nationalism
typically functions to mobilise and coordinate.
The preceding thesis is supported by the older literature on Theravada
Buddhism, e.g., the analyses of Melford Spiro, and opposed by recent writings
on religious nationalism, e.g., from Brubaker and Friedland. The recent trend
has been to generalise and posit a high degree of compatibility between religions
and nationalism, even as Buddhism is omitted altogether from the discussion. |
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