Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Militant Buddhism: Sri Lankan Monks' Historical Violence
The article talks about how some Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have used their religion to justify violence.
A scholar named Tessa Bartholomeusz explains that while Buddhism usually teaches non-violence, some monks believe it's okay to fight if it's for a good reason.
They use old stories to say that violence is okay if it's to protect Buddhism.
One story is about a king who fought and killed people but was told by monks that he only killed 'half-humans' because they weren't true Buddhists.
The article also talks about how people in power sometimes use words to make others seem less human to justify hurting them.
This has happened in many places, not just Sri Lanka.
The article shows how religion and power can be used to justify violence.
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have historically justified violence under certain conditions, challenging the notion of absolute non-violence in Buddhism.
The Mahavamsa, a key Buddhist text, recounts the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and reinforces the idea of Sri Lanka as a Buddhist nation under divine protection.
King Dutthagamani, a hero in the Mahavamsa, waged war against Hindu Tamils and was reassured by monks that his victims were 'not more to be esteemed than beasts'.
The rhetoric used to dehumanize outsiders in Sri Lanka has been used to justify violence, similar to other historical and contemporary examples worldwide.
The 'Sinhala-Buddhist entitlement complex' is a belief that Sinhalese Buddhists have a historical destiny to rule Sri Lanka and protect Buddhism at all costs.
- Who
- Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and scholars
- What
- Historical and contemporary justification of violence by Sri Lankan Buddhist monks
- When
- From ancient times to present day
- Where
- Sri Lanka
- Why
- To defend Buddhism and Sinhalese rule, as interpreted from Buddhist texts and mythology
- Author
- Tessa Bartholomeusz
- Book
- In Defense of Dharma
- Key Figure
- King Dutthagamani
- Key Text
- Mahavamsa
- Key Concept
- Sinhala-Buddhist entitlement complex