The traditional Theravada interpretation of the Pali canon has been challenged by a burgeoning Buddhist movement in Sri Lanka that has gained traction in the past decade. Named eponymously after its late originator, the Buddhist monk Waharaka Abhayaratanālaṅkāra (‘Waharaka Thera’), the Waharaka movement claims that they have rediscovered the true teachings of the Buddha that has been corrupted for centuries. Finding legitimacy in the apparent awakened state (arahattā) of the Waharaka Thera, this interpretation rejects established etymologies of key Pali terms and redefines them using novel methods loosely based on contemporary Sinhala translations. Despite coming under intense criticism by traditional Buddhists, the movement continues to thrive especially among the educated urban middle class. This paper offers a brief introduction to the Waharaka movement.
