We’re not talking about magicians, we’re talking about ritual and whether or not there is some efficacious power inherent in Buddhist ritual practice. Ritual is often derided by modern folks or rejected explicitly as not a part of Buddhism, distinct from practice proper. But there’s ritual throughout Buddhist history and practice, and ritual serves an important function in human social life. Scott spends a lot of time riffing on ritual theory and anthropology. Harry spends some time waxing nostalgic for the loss of the Elves. And somehow we keep it all related to Shin Buddhism. It’s magic!