Curators of Vipassana: Exoticizing and Denigrating Orientalism in the American Vipassana Movement

Inspired by Curators of the Buddha, this paper examines the American Vipassana movement through the lens of Orientalism. Departing from the typical Buddhist modernism framework, I explore how the movement established authority by employing both exoticizing and denigrating forms of Orientalism. Exoticizing Orientalism, such as portraying Asia as a source of ancient wisdom and utilizing the “Oriental monk” trope, was employed to legitimate the founders’ authority. Conversely, denigrating Orientalism discredited Asian and Asian American Theravada by depicting it as corrupt and backward, thereby justifying the movement's innovations. This dual approach shaped sectarian boundaries by fostering alliances with other convert meditation-centric lineages while Othering and excluding Asian and Asian American Theravada, thereby solidifying the movement's distinct identity and authority.