The Kings of Buddhism - Power, Religion, and Fury in Myanmar (Paperback)

The Kings of Buddhism explores the consequences of state regulation and protection of a country’s majority religion. Sterken argues that religious liberty or the lack thereof results from rational interest-based calculations of both religious and state actors. Using insights dating back to Adam Smith, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson, Sterken argues that centuries of state support for Theravada Buddhism has corrupted the Myanmar religious marketplace. At the expense of religions and the society, Myanmar’s kings and military rulers have protected and regulated religion to enhance their own political survival. The consequences state and religion entanglement include 1) a state supported religious monopoly, 2) corruption, regulation, and repression of Theravada Buddhists, 3) repression and violence against religious minorities, 4) perpetual conflict and violence, 5) a corrupt religious economy, and 6) a corruption of truth. The consequences of state control are stark and should serve as a warning to all who would seek to entangle religion and the state.

General

Imprint:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	May 2023
Authors:	Robert Edward Sterken
Dimensions:	229 x 152mm (L x W)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	256
ISBN-13:	978-1-5381-7794-5
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion Books > History > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion Promotions
LSN:	1-5381-7794-3
Barcode:	9781538177945

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