"Ravanisation": The Revitalisation of Ravana among Sinhalese Buddhists in Post-War Sri Lanka
Author | : Deborah de Koning |
Publisher | : LIT Verlag Münster |
Total Pages | : 422 |
Release | : |
ISBN-10 | : 9783643915047 |
ISBN-13 | : 3643915047 |
Rating | : 4/5 (47 Downloads) |
Download or read book "Ravanisation": The Revitalisation of Ravana among Sinhalese Buddhists in Post-War Sri Lanka written by Deborah de Koning and published by LIT Verlag Münster. This book was released on with total page 422 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book discusses Ravanisation: the revitalisation of Ravana among Sinhalese Buddhists in post-war (after 2009) Sri Lanka. The Hindu Ramayana generally portrays Ravana as a cruel king. How and why, then, has Ravana gained the interest of Sinhalese Buddhists? This study takes an ethnographic perspective to answer these questions. The book discusses multiple Ravana representations that have emerged at an urban Buddhist site (the Sri Devram Maha Viharaya) and a rural site (Lakegala), and discloses how Ravanisation relates to Sinhalese Buddhist ethno-nationalism. In addition, the material, ritual, and spatial perspectives offer unique insights in the personal and local relevance of Ravana.