Religious competition and ritual innovation in a new Buddhist movement in Sri Lanka

What is it about?

How does Buddhism in Sri Lanka respond to religious competition? Find out here: https://t.co/SsOPETRvnU This study examines a new ritual movement in Sri Lanka, pioneered by a maverick Buddhist monk, with the aim of keeping up with evangelical Pentecostal and Hindu rivals. Both Pentecostals and Hindus make competing promises of religious efficacy that have affected Buddhist demographics. Hence, the new movement has been successful as a new strand of Buddhist revival in Sri Lanka.

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Why is it important?

Explains the emergence of new religious movements. It adds unique perspective on how adaptation and innovation occur as a result of religious rivalry in a plural context. The paper is interesting because it gives a unique perspective on what might be called Buddhist televangelism. Moreover, the publicity, and the claims of the monk's own ascendance towards nirvana, causes orthodox Buddhist authorities of Sri Lanka to deem the new movement as heretical.