In this episode, Columbia PhD candidate Abigail MacBain, explores the origins of buddhism in Japan, how it was used as a tool in extending state authority, and what buddhism is like in the regime today.

Silver Lining is a podcast that offers nuanced conversations about East Asian societies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to bring in the expertise of graduate students studying East Asia to make the world of academia more accessible and less esoteric under the guidance of the Columbia Global Collaboratory.
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By hearing from experts about topics ranging from economic policy to popular culture, we hope to offer a candid exploration of ideas relating to East Asia and the pandemic. 

 
Few podcasts cover East Asian current affairs.

Now, more than ever, we believe it is imperative to listen, empathize, and find the silver lining.