Across South-East Asia, a religion long synonymous with peace and non-violence is being harnessed for starkly different ends. A new Guardian Audio Long Read, narrated by Dinita Gohil and based on reporting by Sonia Faleiro, investigates the troubling and dangerous rise of Buddhist extremism.
A Philosophy Weaponised
The report details how, in nations such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, core Buddhist principles are being strategically reinterpreted. The drive for spiritual enlightenment is being sidelined by a more immediate, earthly agenda. As the podcast starkly notes, the notion of 'attaining nirvana can wait' has taken hold among certain nationalist factions. These groups are instead focusing their efforts on promoting a majoritarian, often militant, vision of national identity.
Nationalist Goals Over Spiritual Ones
This shift sees the religion weaponised to serve nationalist goals, directly challenging its global image as a purely peaceful philosophy. The analysis explores the historical and social conditions that have allowed this form of religious nationalism to flourish. It examines how rhetoric protecting the faith and its cultural heritage is used to marginalise and incite violence against minority communities, particularly Muslims in both Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
The podcast draws on the complex political landscapes of these regions, where Buddhist monastic communities, or the Sangha, sometimes wield significant political influence. This has created a potent mix where religious authority can be leveraged to support state policies or stir communal tensions.
Challenging a Global Perception
This phenomenon presents a profound paradox, forcing a global reassessment of Buddhism's role in modern conflict. The Guardian Long Read serves as a crucial intervention, moving beyond the simplistic view of Buddhism to reveal its complicated and sometimes dark political mobilisation in South Asia. The work of journalists like Sonia Faleiro is vital in documenting this trend, which remains under-reported in much of the Western media.
The full text version of the article is available on the Guardian's website, offering an in-depth look at a subject that redefines understanding of faith, power, and identity in a rapidly changing region.
