The paper examines the dimensions of Buddhist national identity in
Myanmar expressed through these movements, considering their dom-
inant 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 Bud-
dhism 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.