Contents Executive Summary ix Introduction 1 The Current Context 2 Demographics and Interethnic/Religious Relations 4 “Religious” Conflict in the Current Political Transition 7 Monastic Mobilization in Myanmar 10 The Rise of the 969 Movement 12 The Emergence of MaBaTha 14 Buddhist Narratives of Insecurity and Conflict 17 Rumors and Fears about Islam and Muslims 17 Defense of the Sasana 20 “Non-Buddhist” Methods 23 Promotion of Buddhism 25 Denying Responsibility for Violence 27 Constructing a Counternarrative 30