War and Conflict in the Early Modern World by Sandberg Brian;

Author:Sandberg, Brian;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2016-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Buddhism and violence in Southeast Asia

Therevada Buddhism played a role in religious and political struggles in Southeast Asia during the sixteenth century. The Therevada form of Buddhism had spread earlier from Sri Lanka, but became linked to power struggles and empire-building. Chiengmai and Pegu became important centers of Therevada teaching in Burma, as a reinforced Buddhist monasticism spread into Cambodia, Laos, Siam, and adjacent regions.27

The restoration of the Thai kingdom of Siam demonstrates the power of Theravada Buddhism as a royal religion. Burmese armies had conquered much of mainland Southeast Asia in the 1540s–60s, devastating Siam and enslaving numerous Thai people. Prince Naresuen, a member of the Thai royal family, overthrew Burmese domination in a series of bold military campaigns that consolidated the kingdom of Siam around the city of Ayutthaya. King Naresuen (1590–1605) rode an elephant into battle and sometimes engaged in single combat – performing acts of bravery in a “demonstration of martial and spiritual skills.”28

Therevadan Buddhist ideals and rituals shaped Thai martial arts and military practices in this period, becoming closely associated with Thai notions of kingship and royal authority. Ayutthayan kings constructed elaborate royal temples and Therevada monasteries, presenting yellow robes to monks in impressive ceremonies. Therevadan Buddhism seems to have provided strong motivations for Siamese soldiers in their campaigns against the Burmese and in subsequent expansionist wars in Laos and Cambodia. Muslim minorities in the kingdom of Siam were periodically subject to repression by Thai authorities.29

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