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Heart and Soul: The Dark Side of Buddhism: The Dark Side of Buddhism

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12/06/2015 GMT

The Dark Side of Buddhism

BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, The Dark Side of Buddhism, The Dark Side of Buddhism

Why has a militant, violent strain of Buddhism emerged in Sri Lanka in recent years?

Charles Haviland explores why a militant, violent strain of Buddhism has emerged in Sri Lanka in recent years. Practitioners claim the non-theistic religion in Sri Lanka is under threat and they need to act to preserve a way of life that is being eroded. He meets victims of the militant monks and hears of Buddhist elders condemn the violence of the nationalistic, hardline followers of the Bod Bala Sena group.

(Photo: A statue of the Buddha at the Kande Viharaya Temple in Aluthgama, Sri Lanka. Credit: S.Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images)

Heart and Soul: The Dark Side of Buddhism

BBC World Service

Charles Haviland explores why a militant, violent strain of Buddhism has emerged in Sri Lanka in recent years.

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