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Buddhist Magic: Divination, Healing, and Enchantment through the Ages
A fascinating exploration of the role that magic has played in the history of Buddhism
As far back as we can see in the historical record, Buddhist monks and nuns have offered services including healing, divination, rain making, aggressive magic, and love magic to local clients. Studying this history, scholar Sam van Schaik concludes that magic and healing have played a key role in Buddhism's flourishing, yet they have rarely been studied in academic circles or by Western practitioners. The exclusion of magical practices and powers from most discussions of Buddhism in the modern era can be seen as part of the appropriation of Buddhism by Westerners, as well as an effect of modernization movements within Asian Buddhism. However, if we are to understand the way Buddhism has worked in the past, the way it still works now in many societies, and the way it can work in the future, we need to examine these overlooked aspects of Buddhist practice.
In Buddhist Magic , van Schaik takes a book of spells and rituals--one of the earliest that has survived--from the Silk Road site of Dunhuang as the key reference point for discussing Buddhist magic in Tibet and beyond. After situating Buddhist magic within a cross-cultural history of world magic, he discusses sources of magic in Buddhist scripture, early Buddhist rituals of protection, medicine and the spread of Buddhism, and magic users. Including material from across the vast array of Buddhist traditions, van Schaik offers readers a fascinating, nuanced view of a topic that has too long been ignored.
As far back as we can see in the historical record, Buddhist monks and nuns have offered services including healing, divination, rain making, aggressive magic, and love magic to local clients. Studying this history, scholar Sam van Schaik concludes that magic and healing have played a key role in Buddhism's flourishing, yet they have rarely been studied in academic circles or by Western practitioners. The exclusion of magical practices and powers from most discussions of Buddhism in the modern era can be seen as part of the appropriation of Buddhism by Westerners, as well as an effect of modernization movements within Asian Buddhism. However, if we are to understand the way Buddhism has worked in the past, the way it still works now in many societies, and the way it can work in the future, we need to examine these overlooked aspects of Buddhist practice.
In Buddhist Magic , van Schaik takes a book of spells and rituals--one of the earliest that has survived--from the Silk Road site of Dunhuang as the key reference point for discussing Buddhist magic in Tibet and beyond. After situating Buddhist magic within a cross-cultural history of world magic, he discusses sources of magic in Buddhist scripture, early Buddhist rituals of protection, medicine and the spread of Buddhism, and magic users. Including material from across the vast array of Buddhist traditions, van Schaik offers readers a fascinating, nuanced view of a topic that has too long been ignored.
240 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 22, 2021
I loved this. Its an exploration of “magic” across Buddhist traditions (Theravada, Tibetan, east asian) from the beginning to today, with plenty of comparisons with other traditions east and west. For example the rituals used to identified the reincarnation of the present Dalai Lama have fascinating parallels in rituals used by medieval English priests.
But most importantly it shows Buddhism has never been some purified, idealized, and sanitized tradition as often portrayed in recent times, but something that at the very core has always held the needs - worldly and otherwise - of humans front and center.
Note: I am associated with Shambhala Publications, but this is an objective review!
But most importantly it shows Buddhism has never been some purified, idealized, and sanitized tradition as often portrayed in recent times, but something that at the very core has always held the needs - worldly and otherwise - of humans front and center.
Note: I am associated with Shambhala Publications, but this is an objective review!
January 25, 2021
For many in the West Buddhism is seen as a 'philosophy' or a 'way of life' or even as a 'science'. And it's true that some contemporary iterations frame it in such ways. They can be at pains to resist calling it a religion or worse, magic. This remarkable book addresses the unthinkable - magical practices actually existed within Buddhism for millennia. Magic was a part of the Buddhist monastic life. It's a confirmation that some of did not need (myself among them) but others might be shocked or dismissive. But the truth is in the evidence - Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were invoked in magical rites for far longer than the McMindfulness movement. There are texts being deciphered even today that were found along the Silk Road.
The book could do with some careful editing, mind you. At times it is repetitive not only in content but in expression; whole phrases reoccur. However, the explanation and description of the 'spells' are fascinating and certainly give us a whole new strand of Buddhism to inspire us.
The book could do with some careful editing, mind you. At times it is repetitive not only in content but in expression; whole phrases reoccur. However, the explanation and description of the 'spells' are fascinating and certainly give us a whole new strand of Buddhism to inspire us.
March 4, 2021
Generally a very good book. As the author makes clear, this is a very overlooked area of Buddhist history which has been seen as inconvenient, and therefore ignored, by much of Western Buddhism. It was enjoyable and fascinating to read about South and East Asian mythologies of dragons, imps, ogres, and ghosts and how Buddhist magic drew on these creatures.
It sometimes felt like the book fell into repetition or laboured the point, but perhaps this is understandable given Van Schaik is seeking to challenge existing assumptions and clearly wants to marshal overwhelming argument and evidence for his thesis.
It sometimes felt like the book fell into repetition or laboured the point, but perhaps this is understandable given Van Schaik is seeking to challenge existing assumptions and clearly wants to marshal overwhelming argument and evidence for his thesis.
March 3, 2025
Surprisingly similar to European medieval grimoires. It provides great insight into a not very well known (and maybe even intentionally overlooked) aspect of Buddhism. The spells themselves are obviously crazy - I hope that in this day and age, no one will scrap the bones of a crow to make it rain or recite mantras for 20+ hours on the mandala to make a woman fertile...
February 16, 2021
The book is not what I expected. It is 'really' just a book about 'magic'. I imagined it to go in-depth another the principles of practices that make Buddhism magical, but I am very wrong. It can even be a book about the superstition of some Buddhist and not by some main principles.
July 25, 2021
Interesting book and thesis where van Schaik starts from. However, the book could be more clear about definitions and scope, provide more discussion, as well as more more reflection about methodologies and perspectives used.
November 25, 2021
A good introduction to a subject that is worthy of further study, though a bit shallow to provide any deeper understanding of the traditions. However, a good introduction indeed.
August 24, 2023
Loved this book - I've always wanted to know more about where Buddhism and the magical world aligns and this book more than satisfies that itch
February 17, 2025
Skimmed translation of primary text. Historical/contextual sections are a quick read/informative.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews