In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Dhammarato on the question ‘Is there magic in the Dharma?’.

Daniel Ingram is a contemporary Buddhist author who controversially declared himself to be an Arhat, one of the highest spiritual attainments in Buddhism, challenging cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment.

Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the famous meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype.

In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato discuss the pros and cons of magical experiences, how to develop siddhis and their dangers, and whether these topics should even be discussed in public.

They debate the differences between their own teaching approaches, as well as the approaches of the Burmese and Thai meditation methods, and the importance of a close relationship with a teacher.

Daniel and Dhammarato also acknowledge each other, decrypt the ways in which they signal recognition of others’ spiritual attainments, and explain how to recognise enlightened teachers.

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Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

0:00 - Intro

1:44 - Structure of the episode

2:09 - Daniel’s opening address

12:34 - Dharmmarato’s opening address

26:56 - The pros and cons of magical experiences

35:15 - Anapanasati and developing sukkha

38:39 - Slow and hard path or fast and easy path?

43:30 - Different paths to enlightenment

48:41 - Does magic exist?

52:56 - Is there any value in cultivating siddhis?

58:26 - Should we talk about siddhis and magic?

1:12:43 - Moving from Right Dhamma to Supramundane Dhamma

1:18:50 - Misconceptions about the Mahasi method

1:23:30 - How to recognise Noble Ones and the dangers of siddhis

1:36:32 - The cat is out of the bag

1:39:50 - Mage vs sage

1:47:26 - Close relationship with a teacher

1:52:41 - Mass teaching vs 1-1 teaching

1:55:55 - A mature spiritual culture and the dynamics of Asian temples

2:19:24 - Daniel and Dhammarato recognise each other

2:22:04 - Ajahn Po the arhat

2:30:00 - Gender equality in the sangha and Thai culture

2:44:48 - Dhammarato’s closing address

2:47:06 - Daniel’s closing address

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Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist

- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC

Dhammarato Episode Playlist

- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va

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To find out more about Daniel, visit:

- integrateddaniel.info

- firekasina.org

- https://theeprc.org/

To find out more about Dhammarato, visit:

- https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/

- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James