{"product_id":"the-work-of-kings-h-l-seneviratne-9780226748665","title":"The Work of Kings","description":"\u003ci\u003eThe Work of Kings\u003c\/i\u003e is a stunning new look at the turbulent modern history and sociology of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Monkhood and its effects upon contemporary society. Using never-before translated Sinhalese documents and extensive interviews with monks, Sri Lankan anthropologist H.L. Seneviratne unravels the inner workings of this New Buddhism and the ideology on which it is based. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBeginning with Anagarika Dharmapala's \"rationalization\" of Buddhism in the early twentieth century, which called for monks to take on a more activist role in the community, Seneviratne shows how the monks have gradually revised their role to include involvement in political and economic spheres. The altruistic, morally pure monks of Dharamapala's dreams have become, Seneviratne trenchantly argues, self-centered and arrogant, concealing self-aggrandizement behind a fa軋de of \"social service.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA compelling call for reform and a forceful analysis, \u003ci\u003eThe Work of Kings\u003c\/i\u003e is essential to anthropologists, historians of religion, and those interested in colonialism, nationalism, and postcolonial politics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e H. L. Seneviratne\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0226748669\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780226748665\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e University of Chicago Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/01\/2000\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 392\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.17lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.06w x 0.87d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eReference and Research Bk News\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2000 pg. 14","brand":"H. L. Seneviratne","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44919634624767,"sku":"9780226748665","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_4f9a9b2f-1ea7-4b02-a47a-ec6d28a7c00f.jpg?v=1710359052","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-work-of-kings-h-l-seneviratne-9780226748665","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}