Buddhism as a Conduit of Nationalism in Korea and India in the Early 20th Century: Focusing on the Role of Han Yong-un and Rahul Sankrityayan

Abstract

Buddhism played a significant role in forging and promoting cultural nationalism and the two pioneers who initiated the process of Buddhist nationalism in Korea and India were Manhae han Yong-un and Rahul Sankrityayn respectively. Both were dedicated monks, political activists and celebrated literary figures and the consciousness of both these epochal personalities was shaped by their conviction that Buddhism, an inclusive faith of compassion for all the sentient beings, was capable of resolving the complex problems of the times and create an egalitarian and just society. Han Yong-un, expressed his ideals of cultural and religious nationalism through proposal of reform of Korea Buddhism. His essay On Revitalisation of Korean Buddhism, represents an eloquent statement of his reformist vision. Emphasis on modern curriculum for monastic education, productive sangha, stressing the need for monks to marry so that they are not parasites but productive members of their society. His collection of Poem, “Nimeui chimmuk” became a milestone in the history of nationalist literature because of the subtle and sophisticated craft and motif and theme drawn from Buddhism which went into its making. The British colonial rule in India created a different challenge for the leaders of Indian nationalist movement. Rahul Sankrityayan navigated a new path of nationalism by using Buddhist symbolism to make his countrymen aware of the glorious past when Indian ideas were disseminated to many parts of the world and won recognition. He was arguably the most influential exponent of Buddhism in northern India. He was attracted to Buddhism for its ‘rationalism’, repudiation of Brahmanical orthodoxy and broader social consciousness. Rahul Sankrityayan wrote several works on Buddhism theme in which he emphasized the liberal, open-minded, democrative and egalitarian character of Buddhism and the role of Buddhism in promoting pan-Asian solidarity. He may justifiably called the pioneer of Buddhist renaissance and Buddhist pan-Asianism It was because of the groundwork done by him and some other Indian scholars such as Dharmanand Kosambi that Buddhism was revived and the down-trodden population of India embraced Buddhism under the leadership of Ambedkar and a new vision of the Indian nation emerged.