Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Arts (MA)
Major/Program
Religious Studies
First Advisor's Name
Steven Vose
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Chair
Second Advisor's Name
Oren Stier
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Third Advisor's Name
Christine Gudorf
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee Member
Keywords
Buddhism, Religion and Violence, Feminism, Myanmar, Theravada, Burma
Date of Defense
4-1-2016
Abstract
This thesis uses transnational and Black feminist frameworks to analyze Buddhist nationalist discourses of gender and violence against religious and ethnic minorities in Myanmar. Burmese Buddhist nationalists’ marginalization of the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority is inextricably linked to their attempts to control Buddhist women. Research includes interviews with U Ashin Wirathu, the leader of the monastic-led nationalist group, the 969 Movement, and with other monks of the organization, as well as with non-nationalist monks, nuns and laywomen. I also analyze Theravada textual discourse as read by my subjects in light of the history of Myanmar to understand the ways the local Theravada tradition has marginalized women and non-Buddhists. By connecting the lack of bhikkhuni ordination and laws hindering Buddhist women from marrying non-Buddhist men with the portrayal of the Rohingya as a threat to the nation, I show how Buddhist nationalists attempt to consolidate power and forestall the democratization process.
Identifier
FIDC000261
Recommended Citation
d'Elena, Grisel, "The Gender Problem of Buddhist Nationalism in Myanmar: The 969 Movement and Theravada Nuns" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2463.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2463
Included in
Asian History Commons, Asian Studies Commons, Buddhist Studies Commons, Community-Based Research Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Ethnic Studies Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, History of Religion Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, International Relations Commons, New Religious Movements Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Sociology of Religion Commons, Women's Studies Commons
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