New Buddhist trends in post-war Sri Lanka: Negotiating power and authority

This dissertation explores five new Buddhist groups that have emerged in post-war Sri Lanka, all of which diverge from expected forms of Buddhism across three domains: authority, space, and monk-laity relationships. While these three domains are analysed separately, they are connected and overlap with each other. Furthermore, as these groups are nascent and yet to be explored by scholarship, in addition to analysing how these groups are diverging from popular expectations of Buddhism, I elaborate on the nature of these new Buddhist groups. The research study utilised ethnographic research methods, which included observations, semi- structured and unstructured interviews conducted in both physical and virtual settings, analysis of electronic media content, exploration of social media platforms, and print media.

The new Buddhist groups that I examine in this dissertation are transforming Sri Lankan Buddhism. They are challenging the expected forms of Buddhist authority by introducing new forms of meditation, challenging the existing Buddhist fraternities, and challenging the authoritative lineages such as Mahāvihāra and the revered monk in Theravāda, Buddhaghosa. The new Buddhist groups are transforming Buddhist spaces by introducing virtual monasteries, converting physical monasteries into living villages with farmlands, markets, and production houses, and sometimes omitting some of the primary elements expected in Buddhist spaces, such as sacred trees, pagodas, and image houses. In addition to challenging the authority and space found in expected forms of Buddhism, these groups are transforming the role of monks and laity, leading to a change in their relationship.

Finally, this dissertation delves into the interplay between these new Buddhist groups, their diverging factors, and their operation and content against contemporary socio-economic and political landscape of Sri Lanka. It explores how the post-war context has significantly shaped and influenced these Buddhist groups, shedding light on the complexities and dynamics at play.