Montag
25
JUL

18.00 Uhr

Buddhism and State Politics

Rapidly Changing Relationship between Buddhist Monks and Society in Sri Lanka

Dr. Dhammika Herath, University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka),
Humboldt Fellow, South Asia Institute, Department of Anthropology

It is believed that Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka during the 3rd century BCE although the precise time cannot be pinpointed. Right from the beginning, Buddhism was a state religion in Sri Lanka but never remained static. It has undergone major transformations from time to time in its practices and rituals, and in terms of the relationship between Sangha and laity and between Buddhism and the state. From the very beginning, Buddhism was closely connected with the polity because the Buddhism and state were mutually interdependent. Hence, Buddhism always maintained connections with ‘politics’ in a broad sense. In this presentation, the historical sociocultural transformations which Buddhism in Sri Lanka has undergone will be delineated, along with the myriad ways in which such transformations have impacted the society. The impact of such transformations and their pragmatic outcomes will also be connected with the current social and political crisis in Sri Lanka.

Adresse

Gebäude 4010

010.01.05

Voßstraße 2

6115 Heidelberg

Veranstalter

Südasien Institut, Abteilung Ethnologie

Homepage Veranstalter

https://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/ethno/index.php?language=de&page=home

Kontakt

Sandra Joost