The Buddha’s Wizards by Thomas Nathan Patton

The Buddha’s Wizards by Thomas Nathan Patton

Buddhist community comprises of faithful devotees who remain conservative in their traditions never to brash the shoulders of strangers[1]. Through all-accepted religious and community policies, the natives do not welcome strangers to their residents. Seemingly, unexpected occurrences would guarantee the isolation of visitors away from the reach of family members. The members allege to suspicions of danger and insecurity to the traditions of the society as crucial factors to exclude strangers. Based on personal experience, the believers present their anticipations, plea, and petitions to the Supreme Being before the onset of the day. My essay explores the customs, norms, and beliefs of the Buddhist community as outlined by Thomas Patton in his book The Buddha’s Wizards.

According to my interaction with medical experts at the health facility, it is surprising that the community conserves fascinating stories[2]. The term Weizza denotes the unseen supreme with divine powers to intervene and bring peace and blessings to the community. Through consultation of most high, Bo Min Guang, whose portrait remains an icon, the ill restores to life and fortunes streams to the devotees. Seemingly, the community members feel motivated to spread the Weizza gospel to strangers as a confirmation of their faith. However, the sentiments on the supernatural differ significantly in the Theravada Buddhism traditions.

Based on a group of Buddhist believers who integrate religious teachings and customs with the contemporary world, Theravada Buddhists wizards do not exist[3]. The believers outlaw the confessions of healing and fortunes as intercalated twists to win non-believers’ attention.  Through the dramatic approach, the devotees create weird science to keep the beliefs and faith intact during religious rituals. Contrary to the suspicion notion, Burmese Buddhists believe in the existence of the supernatural wizards affirmed through the spiritual practices and ceremonies at sacred places.

Buddhist wizards according to Burmese Buddhism

A large population of staunch devotees of the Buddha denomination hails from the Burma community[4]. The Weizza community stands to protect religion from external forces and ensure its continuity through divine powers bestowed in ordained followers. Surprisingly, the Weizza refers to believers possessed with divine powers to mediate humanity and the Wizards. Through experience and the level of spiritual associations, the devotees categorize to deal with varying social demands and functions. Therefore, the community conforms to specific cultural beliefs and principles within restricted localities.

The relationship between the saints and the supernatural forces cause a psychological departure from the actual world of human nature[5]. Anointed ones frequently interact with the spiritual world besides other religious symbols and pictures that provoke their faith.  Based on unusual cognitive abilities, the devotees acknowledge the varying vocal manifestation of the wizards. As a result, they translate the demands and rituals initiated by the spirits that remain imaginary for the ordinary community members. However, the feelings and emotions of the wizards’ outrage within the bodies of the Weizza during the spiritual conversations.

Following the interaction between the saints and the wizards, it is convincing to note that religious beliefs introduce within the body and provokes intuitions[6]. Buddha, therefore, transforms into an individual’s body when consulted for spiritual intervention. The impacts of wizards remain visible to the followers who believe in the existence of divine powers to rescue humankind.

[1] Patton, Thomas Nathan. The Buddha’s Wizards. New York: Columbia University Press, 2018, xx

[2] Ibid., xxi

[3] Ibid., xxii

[4] Patton, Thomas Nathan. “Buddhist Salvation Armies as Vanguards of the Sāsana: Sorcerer Societies in Twentieth-Century Burma.” The Journal of Asian Studies 75, no. 4, 2016, 1083

[5] —. The Buddha’s Wizards. New York: Columbia University Press, 2018, xxiv

[6] Ibid.