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Accepted Paper:
"The moral good and the immoral intruder" - an anthropological analysis of the cosmological orientation among Buddhist monks and lay followers in Myanmar
Mikael Gravers
(Aarhus University)
Paper short abstract:
Monks in Myanmar have a long tradition of social engagement, as well as upholding Buddhism's doctrine of non-violence as during the 2007 demonstrations. Why are they now connected to anti-muslim riots and the recent Muslim exodus?
Paper long abstract:
Buddhist monks engaged in the Ma Ba Tha movement maintain that they defend race, nation and Buddhism and that they do not condone violence. They engage in nationalist identity politics against Muslims - named as 'enemy no. 1'. However, they also assist and protect lay Buddhist in everyday disputes as well as in charity and education. Some of the monks are affiliated to military persons and the military party, USDP.
This paper aim at analyzing the reasoning of the monks and their use of spiritual power and nationalism. Defense of religion and nation appeal to many in the uncertain political situation of Military rule behind a civilian NLD government.
Examples from recent ethnographic research in the Karen State are used to illustrate the offensive practices of the monks.
Panel
Pol12
The good in 'bad Buddhism: beyond ancient wisdom for contemporary woes
Session 1