In this episode of Tank Talks Asia, Manisha Tank sits down with economist, author, and travel writer, Razeen Sally. Razeen shares his insights on the rise of Asia and the challenges of leadership in the modern world.

Razeen also talks about how he views Buddhism as both a unifying and evolving force across the continent. And he reflects on his own Buddhist journey, which includes an epic 42-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat.

Featured Voices

Host: Manisha Tank

Guest: Razeen Sally, Economist and Author

Key takeaways

1. Razeen talks about how the rise of Asia is helping to reshape politics, economics, and culture, but he says that while this rapid modernization brings opportunities, it also comes with spiritual costs.
2. He believes youth-led uprisings in Asia often reflect frustrations with the elites and the uneven distribution of economic opportunity.
3. Razeen says social media amplifies biases and creates political vacuums that can be filled by populist or inexperienced leaders.
4. He discusses how Buddhism has historically acted as a unifying force in Asia, but says that today it is fragmented, politicized, and can be tied to nationalistic agendas.
5. Razeen believes that some reform within Buddhist societies could make the tradition more relevant to the 21st century.

Chapter heads

00:30

Who is Razeen Sally?

Manisha introduces Razeen, highlighting his global expertize, travel writing, and how he splits his time between Sri Lanka and Wales.

03:05

Politics Shaped by Childhood

Razeen shares a formative experience he had as a child, which sparked his lifelong interest in politics, current affairs, and understanding the world.

04:43

Losing and Finding Faith

He talks about losing his faith in university, but later rediscovering the importance of spirituality.

05:25

Why Gen Z is Rising in Asia

Razeen discusses the Gen Z protests in Asia, the impact of modernization, and the challenges of trying to break elites.

07:05

Social Media: Power or Problem?

He says social media can both inform and polarize, and highlights the influence it can have on populist movements.

09:28

Can Leaders Be Trusted?

Razeen shares his take on leadership, and why he believes politics and businesses often fall short in both the East and West.

14:45

Buddhism’s Journey Across Asia

He explains the historical and cultural evolution of Buddhism, from its origins in India to its spread across Asia and the West.

18:00

Buddhism in China

Razeen examines the revival of Buddhism in China and the role he believes religion can play in maintaining social and political stability.

21:40

A Unifying Path?

He discusses Buddhism’s historical role in uniting Asian empires, but says that today it is often fragmented and divided.

25:10

Modern Life Meets Ancient Wisdom

Razeen concludes by exploring how modernization can open up opportunities for spiritual reform and discusses the future relevance of Buddhism in Asia.

Useful links

https://x.com/razeensally?lang=en

https://ecipe.org/person/razeen-sally/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1157196.Razeen_Sally

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism

https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index

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Tank Talks Asia is an AsiaWorks production.