Buddhist-muslim co-existence in Sri Lanka : a study of the contributions of the ven. Walpola Rahula Thera with special reference to the muslims` perceptions

Abstract

This study discusses and analyses Muslim-Buddhist co-existence in Sri Lanka in the contributions of Walpola Rahula. The problematic areas in Muslim-Buddhist coexistence are identified in the context of majority and a minority situation with special reference to Sri Lanka. This study consists of six chapters. The introduction provides background of the problem and the methods of study while describing the history of co-existence between the Muslims and the Buddhists in Sri Lanka briefly. The intellectual milieu of Rahula that contributed to his involvement in religious revivalism and peaceful co-existence is discussed in next chapter. The involvement of Rahula in Buddhist revivalism as a Buddhist revivalist and as a Buddhist philosopher is presented in the fourth chapter. In this regard, his efforts to mainstream the bhikkhus into social leadership and reconstruction of Buddhist thought are highlighted. The following chapter analyses his role in promoting inter-communal coexistence at the individual and social levels while evaluating the impact of his contributions from the assessments of his supporters and opponents. In the conclusion, the British colonial policies and anti-colonial ideologies are analysed in the challenges of co-existence while religiosity of the people is also highlighted. The study found genuine efforts of Rahula to promote peaceful co-existence among the communities, especially between the Sinhalese and the Muslims.