Justin McDaniel

In this conversation with Justin McDaniel, a prominent scholar and educator in Buddhism, listeners are taken on a fascinating journey into the darker realms of Thai Buddhism. They delve into rituals involving decomposing bodies and the intriguing practices around spirit possession and necromancy. Justin shares his own transformative experience moving from a strict Catholic upbringing to life as a monk in Thailand. The discussion also highlights the ethical complexities of magical practices and the profound impact of educational experiences in reshaping perceptions of faith and community.

Justin McDaniel, Khan Endowed Chair of the Humanities at the University of Pennsylvania and a scholar of Theravada Buddhist literature, dives into the intriguing and often unsettling aspects of Thai Buddhism. He discusses meditation practices involving decomposing bodies and the beliefs surrounding fetus spirits and corpse oil. The conversation touches on his journey from Catholicism to monastic life, exploring the complexity of rituals related to death and transformation in Thai culture, and the ethical dilemmas posed by practices like Kumantong.