In Defense of Dharma: Just-War Ideology in Buddhist Sri Lanka

by Tessa J. Bartholomeusz

Overview

This is the first book to examine war and violence in Sri Lanka through the lens of cross-cultural studies on just-war tradition and theory. In a study that is textual, historical and anthropological, it is argued that the ongoing Sinhala-Tamil conflict is in actual practice often justified by a resort to religious stories that allow for war when Buddhism is in peril. Though Buddhism is commonly assumed to be a religion that never allows for war, this study suggests otherwise, thereby bringing Buddhism into the ethical dialogue on religion and war. Without a realistic consideration of just-war thinking in contemporary Sri Lanka, it will remain impossible to understand the power of religion there to create both peace and war.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135788568
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/26/2005
Series:	Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism , #10
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	317 KB

About the Author

Tessa J. Bartholomeusz was Professor of Religion at the Florida State University, Tallahasee. Her work concentrated on gender, religious identity and most recently, on Buddhism in America.

Table of Contents

1. Narratives, Ethics and War 2. Just-War Thinking in Texts and Contexts 3. Dharma Yuddhaya and Dharma Warriors in Sri Lanka 4. Buddhism, Pacifism, War and Ethical Orientations 5. Sri Lankan Buddhism and Just-War Thinking Revisited

Editorial Reviews

'Bartholomeusz's provocative book explores the arguements for and against the justice of war in the Buddhist tradition of Sri Lanka. This interdisciplinary work analyzes Buddhist ideas in relation to western just war and ethical theory.' - Journal of Military Ethics 2003

'Bartholomeusz's provocative book explores the arguements for and against the justice of war in the Buddhist tradition of Sri Lanka. This interdisciplinary work analyzes Buddhist ideas in relation to western just war and ethical theory.' - Journal of Military Ethics 2003

From the Publisher