A Comparative Missiological Study of Sinhalese Buddhist and Sinhalese Christian Attitudes toward the Puberty Ritual

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes of Sinhalese Buddhists and Sinhalese Christians toward the puberty ritual in Sri Lanka. The results of a statistical analysis reveal that Sinhalese Buddhists strongly affirm the meaningfulness of the ceremony at the cognitive, affective, and behavioral levels, while Sinhalese Christians are more inclined to disapprove and are also polarized on the issue. The study's qualitative analysis provides details on Sinhalese Buddhists' experience of the rite, along with Sinhalese Christians' rationale for opposing it and alternative ideas with respect to the practice. The study asserts that by seriously engaging cultural meanings, affirming participants' relationships with God and performing a missional witness, a culturally relevant Christian puberty practice can enhance the Christian faith so as to be more readily accepted among the Sinhalese people.