Writing Violence and Buddhism in Sri Lanka: Of Hungry Ghosts and Homecomings

This book explores the relationship between violence, religion, and literature, particularly in the context of Buddhist nationalism in Sri Lanka. It examines the concepts of freedom, peace, and violence through the lens of Shyam Selvadurai's novel "The Hungry Ghosts." The book discusses love, compassion, emancipation, ethics, and responsibility and proposes reinventing Buddhism in Sri Lanka to promote inclusive and diverse approaches to various groups, including women, homosexuality, and linguistic communities. It draws on philosophical insights from Emmanuel Levinas, Jacques Derrida, Maurice Blanchot, and Mahatma Gandhi to argue for the ethical exigency of reinventing Buddhism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 146 pages
Publication date: 19 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive exploration delves into the intricate relationship between violence, religion, and literature, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape these realms. Through a thoughtful examination of the Buddhist nationalist discourse in Sri Lanka, set against the backdrop of Shyam Selvadurai's novel "The Hungry Ghosts," the book explores the profound questions of freedom, peace, and violence. It delves into the depths of love, compassion, emancipation, ethics, and responsibility, employing the concepts of identity, deconstruction, and decolonization to reimagine religion as a language or writing.

Drawing upon philosophical insights from renowned figures such as Emmanuel Levinas, Jacques Derrida, Maurice Blanchot, and Mahatma Gandhi, the book offers profound insights into notions of being, the other, differences, nonviolence, and forgiveness. It emphasizes the ethical imperative of reinventing Buddhism in Sri Lanka, urging a shift towards inclusive and diverse approaches that encompass various groups, linguistic communities, women, and homosexuality.

In its analysis of Selvadurai's novel, the book delves into the central motifs of suffering, desire, hate, and vengeance, challenging prevailing Sinhala Buddhist readings and advocating for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of these themes. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and researchers in the fields of literature and languages, South Asian literature, literary criticism and theory, linguistics, cultural studies, philosophy, religion, Buddhist studies, diaspora studies, and Sri Lankan literature and sociology. Its multidisciplinary approach offers a rich tapestry of insights that will deepen our understanding of these critical domains.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367481803