An invincible, magical monk praying calmly in a kettle of boiling oil captivated the internet until a skeptical scientist spoiled it with some fancy facts.
Photos of the monk demonstrating his invincibility shared online Sunday by “Thailand Only” were reportedly taken in Nong Bua Lamphu province at a religious rite which usually involves passing objects to the monk for him to imbue with sacred power.
The objects, often amulets or fabric, are then sold to the locals to worship the hell out of.
Science instructor Jessada Denduangboripant of Chulalongkorn University added her two-satang to the story Monday.
“The only way to prove it is [boiling] is to measure the temperature of the oil he’s sitting in,” Jessada wrote. “The oil doesn’t look like it’s boiling, and the pan just looks strange. The pan might have two layers to insulate the heat.”
The disbelieving party-pooper previously demonstrated methods for safely touching what appears to be boiling oil in a Youtube video posted in 2012.
The trick is to pour in some water in the bowl before the oil and start boiling. The water will absorb all the heat, but the oil never boils.
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