The Robe and the Sword

In The Robe and the Sword, Sonia Faleiro investigates how radical monks and nationalist movements across South and Southeast Asia are transforming the peaceful teachings of Buddhism into tools of hatred and violence. Traveling from Sri Lanka to Myanmar and Thailand, she profiles individuals and groups involved in this disturbing shift, exploring the complex factors fueling religious extremism. Through vivid storytelling, the book offers a compelling examination of how sacred traditions are being weaponized and the implications for the future of these communities.