The Buddhist Saints of the Forest and the Cult of AmuletsThe central actors in this book are some reclusive forest dwelling ascetic meditation masters who have been acclaimed as 'saints' in contemporary Thailand. These saints originally pursued their salvation quest among the isolated villages of the country's periphery, but once recognized as holy men endowed with charisma, they became the radiating centres of a country wide cult of amulets. The amulets, blessed by the saints, are avidly sought by royalty,