Theravada Buddhism and the British Encounter (Routledgecurzon Critical Studies in Buddhism)

This major new work explores the British encounter with Buddhism in nineteenth century Sri Lanka, examining the way Buddhism was represented and constructed in the eyes of the British scholars, officials, travellers and religious seekers who first encountered it. Tracing the three main historical phases of the encounter from 1796 to 1900, the book provides a sensitive and nuanced exegesis of the cultural and political influences that shaped the early British understanding of Buddhism and that would condition its subsequent transmission to the West. Expanding our understanding of inter-religious relations between Christians and Buddhists, the book fills a significant gap in the scholarship on Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka by concentrating on missionary writings and presenting a thorough exploration of original materials of several important pioneers in Buddhist studies and mission studies. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series-Title......Page 3 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Dedication......Page 8 Contents......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 14 Introduction......Page 16 Part I 1796-1830......Page 24 1 Introduction......Page 26 2 The early British visitors......Page 35 Part II 1830-1870......Page 50 3 Introduction......Page 52 4 The arrogance of power......Page 59 5 Christian exclusivism......Page 68 6 Missionary scholars......Page 77 7 Buddhism's glorious core......Page 91 Part III 1870-1900......Page 102 8 Introduction......Page 104 9 The Buddha as hero......Page 111 10 Buddhism as nihilsm......Page 116 11 Romantic other, negative spin......Page 125 12 Buddhism as Life-Affirming......Page 132 13 Contrasting scholars......Page 140 14 Balancing the exoteric and the esoteric......Page 154 15 Convert to compassion......Page 163 Part IV Remodelling Buddhist belief and practice......Page 176 16 The British as witnesses to the tradition......Page 178 17 The roots of Buddhist modernism......Page 183 18 One tradition, differing voices......Page 196 19 Threat to the Dhamma, a dhamma reewed......Page 201 Part V Discourses of contempt......Page 204 20 Co-existence and dual belonging......Page 206 21 World views in collision......Page 210 22 Betrayal and retaliation......Page 213 23 The twentieth century......Page 220 Epilogue......Page 228 Glossary......Page 234 Notes......Page 238 Bibliography......Page 261 Index......Page 277 This book explores the British encounter with Buddhism in nineteenth century Sri Lanka. Its central concern is the way Buddhism was represented and constructed by the British scholars, officials, missionaries, travelers and religious seekers who traveled to the country. The book traces three main historical phases in the encounter from 1796 to 1900 and gives a sensitive and nuanced exegesis of the cultural and political influences that shaped the early British understanding of Buddhism. This work fills a significant gap in scholarship on Theravāda Buddhism in Sri Lanka and its subsequent transmission to the West. Of particular significance is its coverage of how nineteenth century missionary writings on Buddhism affected both the development of Protestant Buddhism and Christian-Buddhist relations in the twentieth century. Through its exploration of original materials connected with several important pioneer writers on Buddhism, it expands the readers' understanding of inter-religious and inter-cultural relations under colonialism. --from back cover Elizabeth J. Harris. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 223-261) And Index.