Theravada Buddhism; Malaysia; Sri Lanka; Indian Ocean; tsunami; disaster relief; charity
摘要
Sri Lankan Buddhist (Theravada) temples in Malaysia have only recently begun actively engaging in international disaster relief. This article explores the reasons for this emerging example of religious relief by examining the diasporic history of social welfare engagements by these temples and their interactions with initiatives by Chinese organizations and other religious aid providers in Malaysia. In doing so, it investigates the politics of religion both within Buddhist relief practices and within wider contexts in which the relief work is located. The discussion focuses on a case study of Mahindarama Temple in Penang and its remarkable mobilization in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. I argue that the temple's relief work is one element of a wider flourishing involvement in social welfare activities. Previous domesticallyoriented practices gave doctrinal and administrative precedent for transnational disaster relief work following the tsunami. Mahindarama's relief activities were linked to a transnational web of religious and ethnic networks in which monks played decisive roles. Both the monks' doctrinal work and their interventions in practical tasks were crucial in facilitating and brokering the relief efforts. While Mahindarama's disaster relief work drew on Buddhist practices, values, and principles, it was also informed by a particular constellation of political, social, and economic concerns that reflect the location of Buddhist patrons in multicultural Malaysia.
目次
A brief history of mahindarama temple 56 From centers of ritual practice to centers of social welfare 58 Internationalizing social welfare:responding to times of crisis 62 Ties that bind: pilgrimage and international aid 65 Conclusion: buddhist disaster relief 67 Notes 70 References 71
