Enkele latente politieke functies van het hedendaags Boeddhisme in Z.O.- Azië

Samenvatting

Some latent political functions of Buddhism in S. E. Asia. Although Buddhism is not by nature a political system, it is very much involved in social and political forces of modern South-East-Asia. The revival of Buddhism is partly a consequence of the fact, that it by history and philosophical character can be adapted in different ways to certain political tendencies, and in this way may function as a vehicle of different political systems or ideas. It is mentioned in connection with several kinds of nationalism, pan-asiatic internationalism, marxism and communism. There is no unanimity as to the possibility of dysfunctions resulting from these developments for Buddhism in its original form, but this possibility is acknowledged by Buddhists themselves, which resulted into action in the countries concerned.