Buddhism, Politics and the Limits of Law The Pyrrhic Constitutionalism of Sri Lanka Comparative Constitutional Law and Policy Series

It is widely assumed that a well-designed and well-implemented constitution can help ensure religious harmony in modern states. Yet how correct is this assumption? Drawing on groundbreaking research from Sri Lanka, this book argues persuasively for another possibility: when it comes to religion, relying on constitutional law may not be helpful, but harmful; constitutional practice may give way to pyrrhic constitutionalism. Written in a lucid and direct style, and aimed at both specialists and non-specialists, Buddhism, Politics and the Limits of Law explains why constitutional law has deepened, rather than diminished, conflicts over religion in Sri Lanka. Examining the roles of Buddhist monks, civil society groups, political coalitions and more, the book provides the first extended study of the legal regulation of religion in Sri Lanka as well as the first book-length analysis of the intersections of Buddhism and contemporary constitutional law.

Acknowledgments; Commonly used abbreviations; A note on translation and language; 1. Introduction: religion, law and the pyrrhic constitutionalism of Sri Lanka; Part I. The Past Lives of the Buddhism Chapter: 2. Managing religion at the end of empire; 3. Contesting constitutions in the 1950s and 1960s; 4. Multivalent solutions: drafting the Buddhism chapter; Part II. From Creation to Implementation: 5. Legal battles for Buddhism; 6. Battles within Buddhism; 7. Constitutional conversions; 8. Conclusion: the costs of constitutional law; References; Index.

Benjamin Schonthal is Senior Lecturer in Buddhism and Asian Religions at the University of Otago, New Zealand. He received his Ph.D. in the field of history of religions at the University of Chicago. His research examines the intersection of religion, law and politics in South and Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Buddhism.