Les Fonctions sociales de la symbolique religieuse chez les Bouddhistes à Sri Lanka / Social Functions of Religions Symbolism in Sri Lanka Buddhists

Abstract

This article is an excerpt from larger piece of research on the rela tions between the religious and political fields in Singhalese society It studies symbolic Buddhist expressions in three areas rural regions cities and political surroundings Recourse to religious symbolism is intense in rural areas both in daily life and or the major events in life Yet there is clear distinction of rites places and performers between what is provided by Buddhism whose function is the accumulation of merit and what is provided by religions of other origins Hinduism animism directed towards temporal functions unique structure however is found in the pantheon allowing us to speak of single reli gious system An evolution is being felt in the symbolic value of the religious system which is losing its collective expressive function in order to become more exclusively set of means for group or individual protection The adaptation of rites to the modernization of agriculture is striking Certain devotions tend to disappear in the same process whereas others make new progress Devotions and pilgrimage tend to become more individual The stability of the religious system is such that double system of symbolic practices co-exists today Recourse to the religious is inscribed in the context of assistance to be given to the performing person In urban surroundings one witnesses process of rationalization of religious practices visible expressions of the dominant place Bud dhism has in the society once again public statues) changes in the pantheon progress the hierarchy of Skända the god of success in temporal affairs The religious also plays his role in political action since Buddhism has been closely associated with the political history of the country Political leaders perform religious acts which express search for legiti macy Moreover when an insurrection of youth occurred in 1971 the religious institution was called upon to maintain social order Religion has an important function from various viewpoints the gods have become individual beings more the projection of social construction endowed with power and meeting with chance in daily life This hope of effectiveness reinforces the individualistic ethos sustained by the dominant social and political system tends to reinforce the atomization of society and diminish its capacity for collective reaction