The paper examines the dimensions of Buddhist national identity in
Myanmar expressed through these movements, considering their dominant narratives that justify fear and hatred, their resonance among the public, and their leaders’ denial of responsibility for violence fueled by these narratives. In doing so, it acknowledges a reflexive defense against what is perceived by some to be the threat of a globally spreading Islam, as well as the motivation to preserve and promote Buddhist practice
and behavior in Myanmar during a time of significant change. These
overarching concerns regarding the fragility and perpetuation of Buddhism help to explain the widespread popularity of the movements, but also complicate characterizations of them as exclusively “anti-Muslim.”
The analysis in this paper reveals more complex motivations for the
popular support of 969 or MaBaTha.