The authorization of religio-political discourse: monks and Buddhist activism in contemporary Myanmar and beyond

Through the example of contemporary Buddhist nationalist groups in Myanmar, this article draws attention to the cultural authorization of religio-political discourse. The symbolic power of a monk's pronouncements is amplified because of the cultural reverence attached to his vocation as a Buddhist monk, even without doctrinal references or ritual practices. A monk’s cultural position within Burmese Buddhism particularly strengthens his authority when he frames his preaching and actions as a defense of Buddhism. Without attention to these cultural institutions and the religious authority they confer, the resonance and influence of monks' words cannot be completely understood. Furthermore, without directly responding to the logic of these authorizing discourses, responses intended to counter the violence emerging from Buddhist nationalism and promote tolerance will be ineffective

The authorization of religio-political discourse: monks and Buddhist activism in contemporary Myanmar and beyond

Through the example of contemporary Buddhist nationalist groups in Myanmar, this article draws attention to the cultural authorization of religio-political discourse. The symbolic power of a monk's pronouncements is amplified because of the cultural reverence attached to his vocation as a Buddhist monk, even without doctrinal references or ritual practices. A monk’s cultural position within Burmese Buddhism particularly strengthens his authority when he frames his preaching and actions as a defense of Buddhism. Without attention to these cultural institutions and the religious authority they confer, the resonance and influence of monks' words cannot be completely understood. Furthermore, without directly responding to the logic of these authorizing discourses, responses intended to counter the violence emerging from Buddhist nationalism and promote tolerance will be ineffective

Buddhist–Muslim Dynamics in Siam/Thailand

In this chapter, we describe the interrelationships between the approximate four million Muslims and the 62 million Theravada Buddhists residing in Thailand. We discuss some of the historical, economic, political, and religious factors that have influenced the interaction between these ethnoreligious groups. The majority of the Muslims reside in provinces in south Thailand near the Malaysian border. Many of these Muslims retain their Malay Muslim identity, resulting in tensions with the Thai Buddhist authorities, including a tragic insurgency movement beginning in 2004. We also discuss the ethnic diversity and origins of the Muslim migrants and descendants and their relationship to Thai Buddhists in central and north Thailand. Although harmonious relations have existed between Muslims and Buddhists in Thailand, current political circumstances have exacerbated Islamophobic tendencies