Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In actual practice, the lines between Buddhism, Taoism, and regional folk traditions are quite blurred in East Asia. We have a complicated history of magic around here, and also, is it even appropriate to call it that? Let’s talk about how Buddhism and Taoism became entangled in shamanism, spirit mediumship, and local ritual magical traditions.
Only *after* I finished recording this video did I realize some of my Mandarin pronunciation got very "Tai." Guess it's the subject matter... pinyin proper "putonghua" goes right out the window when I'm returning to my roots. =P
TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 Introduction
03:09 The Roots of Asian Folk Magic
07:33 Historical and Common Origins
10:07 Some of the Lineages in Taoist Mysticism
19:36 Buddhism Arrives in China
21:45 Mahayana Buddhist View of the Occult
23:00 Asian Folk Magic: It’s Complicated
24:58 Is Burning Joss Money "Folk Magic"?
27:53 Jing Qi Shen & Insider's Definition of Magic
31:11 Labels, Politics, Problems...
33:25 High Magic vs. Low Magic
34:36 Class, Cultural Syncretism, Liminal Space
PLAYLIST | Introduction to Taoist & Buddhist Mysticism | youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE&si=qRnkGMFhx4OcMDpi
Related Media:
“Shamanism Meets Taoism: The Hidden Link in 3,000 Years of Magic and Mysticism” (2025 March 13), youtu.be/i4z4HoSyQDw?si=0WyAWUf6ul5JrzAN
“Ritual Magic and Shamanism in Pre-Qin China” (2024 Feb. 18), youtu.be/--DceQ1735Y?si=XmW-4WuYUJMSsTtq
“Taoism: A Decolonized Introduction” (2024 April 20), youtu.be/ad54Mpm5UX0?si=gehIZrKhHawS65bj
“Can You Be a Taoist or Buddhist Occult Practitioner Without a Teacher?” (2026 May 13), substack.com/@benebellwen/p-197622102
“Witchcraft vs. Ceremonial Magic?” (2019 Dec. 5), benebellwen.com/2019/12/05/witchcraft-vs-ceremonial-magic
FREE COURSES in East Asian Esotericism, benebellwen.com/online-courses/free-courses/east-asian-esotericism
In actual practice, the lines between Buddhism, Taoism, and regional folk traditions are quite blurred in East Asia. We have a complicated history of magic around here, and also, is it even appropriate to call it that? Let’s talk about how Buddhism and Taoism became entangled in shamanism, spirit mediumship, and local ritual magical traditions.
Only *after* I finished recording this video did I realize some of my Mandarin pronunciation got very "Tai." Guess it's the subject matter... pinyin proper "putonghua" goes right out the window when I'm returning to my roots. =P
TIMESTAMPS:
00:46 Introduction
03:09 The Roots of Asian Folk Magic
07:33 Historical and Common Origins
10:07 Some of the Lineages in Taoist Mysticism
19:36 Buddhism Arrives in China
21:45 Mahayana Buddhist View of the Occult
23:00 Asian Folk Magic: It’s Complicated
24:58 Is Burning Joss Money "Folk Magic"?
27:53 Jing Qi Shen & Insider's Definition of Magic
31:11 Labels, Politics, Problems...
33:25 High Magic vs. Low Magic
34:36 Class, Cultural Syncretism, Liminal Space
PLAYLIST | Introduction to Taoist & Buddhist Mysticism | youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0x6BzLuplwZuQpc3ubW97MwPXb1mk9hE&si=qRnkGMFhx4OcMDpi
Related Media:
“Shamanism Meets Taoism: The Hidden Link in 3,000 Years of Magic and Mysticism” (2025 March 13), youtu.be/i4z4HoSyQDw?si=0WyAWUf6ul5JrzAN
“Ritual Magic and Shamanism in Pre-Qin China” (2024 Feb. 18), youtu.be/--DceQ1735Y?si=XmW-4WuYUJMSsTtq
“Taoism: A Decolonized Introduction” (2024 April 20), youtu.be/ad54Mpm5UX0?si=gehIZrKhHawS65bj
“Can You Be a Taoist or Buddhist Occult Practitioner Without a Teacher?” (2026 May 13), substack.com/@benebellwen/p-197622102
“Witchcraft vs. Ceremonial Magic?” (2019 Dec. 5), benebellwen.com/2019/12/05/witchcraft-vs-ceremonial-magic
FREE COURSES in East Asian Esotericism, benebellwen.com/online-courses/free-courses/east-asian-esotericism
