Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism is a Sri Lankan political ideology which combines a focus upon Sinhalese culture and ethnicity (nationalism) with an emphasis upon Theravada Buddhism, which is the majority belief system of most of the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka. It mostly revived in reaction to the colonisation of Sri Lanka by the British Empire and became increasingly assertive in the years following the independence of the country.

Sinhalese nationalism has generally been influenced by the contents of the Mahavamsa, the major Pali chronicle, written in the 6th century.

Origins The Sinhalese Buddhist national chronicle Mahavamsa ('Great Chronicle'), composed in the sixth century CE by Buddhist monks, contains historical accounts and mythological stories that have played a significant role in shaping and strengthening Sinhalese Buddhist identity. The Mahavamsa describes Gautama Buddha's three visits to Sri Lanka, during which he blesses and sanctifies the island, paving the way for his teachings to flourish there. The text also portrays the Buddha as instructing deities to protect the ancestors of the Sinhalese (Prince Vijaya and his followers from North India), enabling them to establish and propagate Buddhism in Sri Lanka. These inspiring narratives have contributed to the deeply held Sinhalese Buddhist belief that Sri Lanka is Sihadipa (island of the Sinhalese) and Dhammadipa (the island chosen to preserve and propagate Buddhism), instilling a strong sense of religious and national identity.

Myths The Mahavamsa, a 6th century CE chronicle, has had a profound influence on Sinhalese Buddhist culture and identity. The text contains mythological accounts of the Buddha's visits to Sri Lanka, during which he is said to have sanctified the island as a haven for Buddhism and entrusted its protection to the Sinhalese people.

The Mahavamsa also recounts the story of the Buddhist warrior king Dutugamunu and his battle against the Tamil king Elara to unite Sri Lanka under a Buddhist monarch. While the text depicts Elara as a good ruler, Dutugamunu's campaign is portrayed as necessary for the restoration and glory of Buddhism on the island.

Scholars have noted that the Mahavamsa's narratives have contributed to a belief among some Sinhalese Buddhists that they are the Buddha's chosen people and that Sri Lanka is a sacred Buddhist land. The text's depiction of the Buddha driving away Yakkhas, the island's non-human inhabitants, to establish Buddhism has been interpreted by some as providing justification for the use of violence in the name of religion and the removal of groups seen as uncooperative with Buddhist goals. However, the Mahavamsa remains an important religious and cultural text that has helped to shape Sinhalese Buddhist identity over many centuries.

Contributions of Anagarika Dharmapala Anagarika Dharmapala was one of the leading contributors to the Buddhist revival of the 19th century that led to the creation of Buddhist institutions and Buddhist schools to match those of the Christian missionaries, and to the independence movement of the 20th century. He illustrated the first three points in a public speech:

He called upon the Sinhalese people to rise. He strongly protested consumption of alcohol, killing of cattle and promoted vegetarianism.http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=148072

Relationship with other religions in Sri Lanka Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism has a fractious relationship with other religious communities like Christians and Muslims, with protests often being organised by Buddhist nationalist organisations against Christians in the governance of the country through movements like Catholic Action. Relations between Buddhist nationalists and Hindus are more peaceful and friendly, with numerous Hindu figures, including Kandiah Neelakandan and T. Maheswaran working with Buddhist groups on the anti-conversion bill.Lanka Buddhists take on Church Daily Pioneer - June 9, 2009 Also, D. B. S. Jeyaraj noted that both Sri Lankan Hindu nationalism and Buddhist nationalism rose as reactions to Christianity.Maheswaran threatens Tamil religious unity The Sunday Leader - January 18, 2004 Hindu-Buddhist collaboration is growing more prevalent in Sri Lanka, with the rise of groups such as the Hindu-Buddhist Friendship Society.Hindu-Buddhist Friendship Society soon Sunday Observer - May 30, 2004

In recent times the relationship between Sinhala Buddhist Nationalists and Sri Lankan Catholics has improved over several shared interests such as opposition to sterilisation and banning private tuition classes during religious holidays. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who has served as Archbishop of Colombo since 2009, has also opposed secularism and supported Buddhism as state religion, which has received praise from Buddhist clergy. However Evangelical Christians continue to be distrusted.

Organisations Political parties Party Symbol Founded Leader MPs Coalition(s) Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna 1965 Anura Kumara Dissanayake DNA (2009–2010), UPFA (2004–2005), NPP (2019–) Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna 2016 Mahinda Rajapaksa SLPFA (2019–2022) Mawbima Janatha Pakshaya 2023 Dilith Jayaweera SB (2024–) Sri Lanka Freedom Party 1951 Disputed MEP (1956–1959), SP (1968–1977), PA (1994–),UPFA (2004–2019), SLPFA (2019–2022), FPA (2023–2024) Jathika Nidahas Peramuna 2008 Wimal Weerawansa SLPFA (2019–2022), ULC (2022–), FPA (2023–2024) Jathika Hela Urumaya 2004 Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero UPFA (2010), UNF (2015–2020), SJB (2020–) New Lanka Freedom Party 2020 vacant SJB (2020–2024) Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputra Pakshaya 1990 Harischandra Wijayatunga

Other parties Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Sihala Urumaya Sinhala Maha Sabha (1936–1951) Apé Jana Bala Party

Militant Logo Name of movement Ideology Active Successor NotesBodu Bala SenaAnti-liberalismIslamophobiaUltranationalismYesNoneLed by Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, far-right by positionSinhala RavayaAnti-liberalismYesNoneAllied with the Bodu Bala SenaSinhala National ForceFundamentalismYesNoneMinor groupRavana BalayaRavanismYesNoneOpposes Indian influence in Sri LankaSinhalese ForceUltranationalismNo (1950–1955)NoneUsed the Nazi salute to greet its leadersJathika Vimukthi PeramunaCorporatismNo (1957–1965)Sihala UrumayaForced non-Sinhalese to leave Sinhalese areas

Sources:The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka. 2018.

See also Criticism of Buddhism Walisinghe Harischandra Black July Vahumpura

Notes

References Anagarika Dharmapala, Return to Righteousness: A Collection of Speeches, Essays and Letters of the Anagarika Dharmapala, ed. Ananda Guruge, The Anagarika Dharmapala Birth Centenary Committee, Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Ceylon 1965 DeVotta, Neil. "The Utilisation of Religio-Linguistic Identities by the Sinhalese and Bengalis: Towards General Explanation". Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, Vol. 39, No. 1 (March 2001), pp. 66–95. Tennakoon Vimalananda 'Buddhism in Ceylon under the Christian powers', 1963 Wijewardena 'The Revolt in the Temple', Sinha Publications, 1953

External links L.H. Mettananda – A Noble Sri Lankan Mettananda's grim warning of a Conspiracy against Buddhism (1956) Ven. Narada Maha Thera's warnings of dangers to Sri Lanka