Indigenous Knowledge, Buddhist Philosophy and Post-colony: Revisiting the Values of Sri Lankan Public Administrative System

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter explores the transferability of indigenous knowledge to contemporary context in the form of values to address common criticisms surrounding public administrative system (PAS) in Sri Lanka, such as bribery, ineffectiveness, harassment, and nepotism. It is difficult to detach indigenous knowledge and history from Buddhist philosophy in Sri Lanka. We turn to these Buddhist philosophies and historical social practices that were silenced in colonial and post-independence PAS. These core values are never claimed sole ownership in Buddhist philosophy and are recognized commonly in any civilized society. We find that Buddhist teachings and practices of righteousness, discipline, public interest, democracy, and non-discrimination at the individual, and social level, showcase the grounds for eliminating unethical behaviors in governance such as wrong-doings, bribery, harassment, and nepotism, in PAS. Thus, we recognize the possibility of using the underlying core values of Buddhist philosophies in recalling and re-covering Sri Lankan indigenous values to overcome the limitations of contemporary post-colonial public administrative organization.KeywordsIndigenous knowledgeBuddhist philosophyValuesPost-colonyPublic administrationSri Lanka