Customer Reviews

Buddhism Betrayed?: Religion, Politics, and Violence in Sri Lanka

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This book provides a useful overview of the recent history of politicized Buddhism and its role in the Sri Lankan conflict, but it seems two of the reviewers don't agree with this. One of them complains of balance but, unless I am very much mistaken, doesn't seem to have ever read the book itself. So the first rule for reviewers: always read the book before you write a review. The other grumpy reviewer claims to have "red" [sic] the book, and finds it "compleatly mislead people" [sic]. We must take the reviewer at his or her word about "reding", but at risk of sounding elitist, the review does seem a little weak in spelling and grammar. So, the second rule of reviewing: make sure you are literate in the language of the book before attempting a review. Simple advice.

During the 19th century, alarmed by the success of the Anglican mission in converting a large number of Sinhala Buddhists to Christianity, an America named Olcott went to Sri Lanka. He hired a Sinhala Christian convert to publish pamphlets in Sinhala to discourage the Sinhala people from converting to Christianity. The christian covert reconverted to Buddhism and renamed himself as Anagarika Dharmapala and became a key Buddhist revivalist.

Anagarika Dharmapala created a myth that the Sinhala people and the island of Sri Lanka were chosen by Lord Buddha to preserve the true form of Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism). At the present time, this myth is deeply rooted among the Sinhalese who now view the minorities as a stumbling block to their holy mission of preserving Buddhism.

They overlook the historical fact that the island has been multi-ethnic for thousands of years and the Tamils had their own kingdom in the north and east of the island until 1833, when their kingdom was joined with the Sinhala kingdoms to the south and west by the British for their administrative convenience.

This book describes the history and effects of Sinhala-Buddhist chauvanism in the island. Note that this book is banned in Sri Lanka.

All religions are perverted by some of its followers, be it the Islamic extremists in the mid-east, or the Christian and Hindu Fundamentalists in other places. This is indeed regrettable, because Religions in general provide a moral anchor for the majority of people on this earth, to live good lives.

Buddhism, one of the greatest philosophies of all times, has stayed clear of this type of fundamentalist extremism, except in Sri Lanka. This book describes in clear detail how this great religion has been perverted in Sri Lanka.

Buddhists in Sri Lanka believe that the entire island nation belongs to the Buddhists (divinely ordained, according to some) and that people of other persuasions have no place there. This has led to a `Buddhist-Action' movement, supported by a Buddhist dominated parliament to enact laws to this end.

Buddhism is enshrined in the Sri Lanka Constitution as the State Religion. Although other religions are allowed religious `freedom', this is in practice marginal at best.

According to the Sri Lankan government's own published data, more than 64,000 Hindus, Muslims and Christians have been killed by the government forces controlled by the Buddhists, for seeking religious equality. Thousands of Churches, Hindu Temples and Muslim Mosques have been burnt, bombed or otherwise destroyed by the Sri Lankan armed forces.

All this is contrary to the worldwide perception of Buddhism as a tolerant and pacifist religion. Indeed Buddhism, as practiced in other countries such as Thailand, Myanmar and in parts of China, is 'Tolerant' and 'Pacifist'. I have personally experienced this in many places and love the way Buddhism is practiced in most places.

In Sri Lanka, however, mobs instigated by Buddhist fanatics kill non-Buddhists in the name of Buddhism. This book provides an accurate description of Buddhism as practiced in Sri Lanka.

Dalai Lama, the greatest and most recognized Buddhist of our times, is a persona-non-grata in Sri Lanka, and is refused entry to the country. Buddhist leaders in other countries have refused to be associated with Buddhist associations in Sri Lanka.

This is a must read for all interested in Buddhism.

All religions (or the most popular/practiced ones) preach about non-violence right? Or is the author only aware of Buddhism, and not about his own religion? A country has to fight a terrorist organization to save the countrymen.

I'm saying that this book is not a balanced and it forgets about the ruthless terrosit orgaganization LTTE. (Now named a terrorist organization in most countries of europe and in US, whether the author likes it or not). The author has attached the word buddhism so that it will get a nice catchy name to it (and will pop up in when you search for buddhism, a book in reality has nothing to do with buddhism) :-)

From the recorded history of Sri Lanka (2500+) have any one ever heard of it assaulting another country? No it has always been the south Indian kingdoms (in certain periods, which had war mongering kings) who always invaded this tiny beautiful island. But in most occasions the ancient kings of lanka were successful in defending the country.

Now let's move on to the real facts shall we? The author and some others say that it is the government back Buddhists who are killing the Tamils:-) What a joke....

Who killed all of the prominent Tamil leaders? (from the day the conflict began up to now, the latest addition being Hon Lakshman Kadiragamar), it's the Tamil Terrorist Organization LTTE (who claim a mythical Tamil state which covers a 2/3 of the total cost of Sri Lanka)

Who drove out the Sinhala's, Muslims and moderate Tamils from the north and east (in the east we still have Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims in equal proportions), any guesses? It's the LTTE (ahmmm which the author is not aware of)

OK now let's look at the other side. If Sinhala's and the Buddhists are cruel then how come most of the Tamil people who fled the war torn north are now living with Sinhala's in the south (specially in Colombo, Nuwaraeliya etc)? Hmmm ... Seems like they are afraid of the LTTE, who take the Tamil peoples children by force and make them child soldiers (while the children of the leaders of LTTE are having fun in Europe, or are not involved in war). The LTTE also requests ransoms from most of the tamil people to oil their war machine (if the people do not provide the requested sum then they are killed).

Who killed Sil observing Buddhists at the sacred Sri Maha Bodi, who bombed the sacred temple of tooth (which is much respected throughout the world of Buddhists?).. again it is the LTTE.

Who killed presidents and would be presidents like Ranasingha Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali, Gamnini Dissanayaka etc.. LTTE

Yes I agree there was a sad occasion in 1983 where some Tamil people were killed in the south and some Sinhala people were killed in the north by extremists on both sides (mostly due to the poor news distribution and people acting on hear-say news). But in the recent years most Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala people have put the past things behind are now working together in harmony. U just have to listen to the news (be it CNN, BBC, Aljazeera) and you will see many interviews with Tamils, Muslims and Sinhala's who are fed up with the LTTE (a group now seems to have connections with other terrorist groups in the world, Just take a look at Jane's Intelligence reports).

One more thing, there are two main problems in Sri Lanka. The ruthless terrorist group LTTE (who do not want a political solution except for a separate state), and poor distribution of resources for the rural parts (be it in north, east, south, west or the center of the island) of Sri Lanka (since most resources are concentrated in Colombo). The current government (2007) seems to be promising because it has started on major infrastructure projects for those rural areas and are encouraging entrepreneurs/companies to go to these regions and invest on new industries. Let's see if the promising trend continues ......

I have red this book and I think this book compleatly mislead people about Buddhism and Sri Lankan comunity. For a person who wants to find out more about Sri Lanka and Buddhism (The truth I mean) there are lots of books. I think that the Tamils who started the war and whole word knows it. Buddhists are normally peaceful people and Tamil Tigers and people who support them like this one hate Buddhists.....Please get a life....