Benjamin Brose, a scholar of Chinese Buddhism, discusses the afterlife adventures of Xuanzang, a revered monk, in a mix of myth and history. They explore Xuanzang's transformation into a magical monk, his journeys through the netherworld, and the lasting legacy of his pilgrimage. The podcast touches on the conflation of Xuanzang's tales with mortuary rites, mythical beliefs' role in historical uprisings, and the empowerment of marginalized groups through non-canonical Buddhist sources. Brose also shares insights into their current projects in Chinese Buddhist studies.
