In response to these challenges, Buddhist reformers advocated a return to a purportedly “purer,” more rational form of Buddhism that transcended mythology, deities, and rituals, and could withstand all new developments.
This Buddhist reformation developed most rapidly in Sri Lanka in the 19th century, and then caught on in Thailand and other countries.
This reformed Buddhism is often called “Protestant Buddhism” (like Protestant Christianity) because of its emphasis on simple, direct religiosity instead of hierarchy and ritual.