Buddhist Responses to Western Colonialism in Sri Lanka from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 동국대학교 불교문화연구원
· 수록지 정보 : 불교학보 / 53호 / 197 ~ 226페이지
· 저자명 : 가미니 키라웰라

초록

Western imperialism has double structures that it plunders the economy of colony with military force and governs its cultural aspect at the same time. Especially, the propagation of Catholicism and Christianity suppresses and has an intolerant attitude toward native religion. Finally, it usually mistreats the religious persons and kills them through the process to westernize the native religion. On the other hand, Catholicism and Christianity adopts the strategy to convert their religion by granting privilege and benefit. For example, there is evangelicalism of Catholicism and Christianity, which were popular in the those day with an assistance of imperialism that governed the world.
Regarding to the Buddhist history of Sri Lanka in relation to the modernity this paper was handling over the colonial rule of Portugal, Netherlands and Britain respectively and also explained Buddhist Theosophical Society (BTS), which was founded in the early part of the 20th century. In addition, the paper shows intension of each colonial power and Buddhist response against religious oppression.
There was a merciless suppression when king and high-ranking official of Kotte Kingdom converted their religion to Catholicism with an assistance of western power. In this result the resistant power was created by bhikkus in the Portuguese domination. Portuguese power destroyed many Buddhist temples and attached buildings, burned large amount of sutras and took away the land belonged Buddhist community.
Although the kings tried to revive Buddhism and construct clear Sangha in the period of Dutch domination, it was not sufficient to reconstruct the Buddhism, which already fell in the mire of declination. The period of Dutch domination for 138 years from 1658 to 1796 was not blooded like that of Portuguese domination. However, Dutchmen destructed Buddhism and traditional culture by using the baits of education and good job so they infringed upon loyalty for country and king, respect for Sangha and self-respect of Buddhist keeping samskara thoroughly.
The British colonial rule in Sri Lanka began when Kandy Convention was concluded in 1815. Sinhala Kingdom that dispelled Dutch power successfully through the alliance with the Britain. Sinhala Kingdom began to show a hostile attitude against the Britain as it changed its attitude and enlarged its power while confirming its dominance in the coastal area. The Britain declared war against Sinhala Kingdom in 1803 by using the opportunity and occupied the capital of Sinhala Kingdom, Kandy, on February 15, 1815 by using the period when its power was declined because of the confrontation between king and nobles. As a result, Sri Vikrama Rajasimha (1798～1815) was captured as a prisoner. The king was dethroned after he signed colonial treaty called Kandy Convention. According to this result, the sovereignty of country transferred to the royal family of Britain.
The British people, who had higher self-esteems than Portuguese or Dutchmen, had tendencies to exclude Sri Lankan people though racial discrimination although they believed in Christianity. In addition, it seems that there was national consciousness of Sri Lankan people as they resisted against the cruel treatment of Buddhism and Sangha. The national consciousness shows the tendency that it was led by Buddhist priest, who has effected from the Buddhist Theosophical Society. The national consciousness was caused by various aspects such as propagation through press media, doctrinal dispute and university foundation.

참고자료

· 없음