About this episode

Ed interviews constitutional lawyer K. Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang about the intersection of Buddhism and politics in Thailand.

Ed interviews K. Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang, a constitutional lawyer and professor from Chulalongkorn University whose work bridges law and Buddhism. After Ed shares his own background as an American lawyer, the two men begin by discussing the modern relevance of Buddhist teachings. K. Khemthong explains that Buddhist mindfulness practices are more important than ever for combating the overwhelming distractions of smartphones and social media. They touch upon how both traditional and secular meditation retreats are increasingly popular for people seeking mental clarity in a chaotic world. Next, Ed brings up Khemthong's academic focus, prompting a fascinating story about a former student who researched local political movements. The guest recounts how Thai protest leaders have historically invoked Buddhist concepts to justify anti-democratic actions. He explains that this political ideology emphasizes the purity of a leader's intentions rather than the strict legality of their actions, meaning that acting with a benevolent mind can supposedly excuse technically illegal political moves. Finally, the conversation shifts to the intersection of religion and constitutional law in…

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