Ancient Tibetan Monk mummifies himself without material aids

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In summary, there is a Tibetan Monk who is remarkably preserved without any mummification materials. He is in a meditating position and there is currently a program about him on Channel 5. The monk mummified himself through deep meditation and possibly by drinking salty water which dehydrated and killed microflora. This practice was common among monks 1300 years ago as an act of altruism. However, most mummies in Tibet were destroyed by the Chinese communists, but this particular one survived because it is located in India. There is a belief that the monk may have also eaten tree bark from a tree with natural preservatives.
  • #1
quddusaliquddus
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Has anyone heard about the Tibetan Monk who is remarkably preserved (mummified) without anyone mummifying him using material things e.g. bandages, ointments, removal of organs etc...

He seems to be in a meditating position.

A programme about it is showing right now on Channel 5 (UK).

Has any1 heard about it?
What do you think?
 
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  • #2
Yes, I saw the story on Discovery channel quite a while ago. He mummified himself by deep meditation, finally drinking very salty water that aided in the preservation by dehydrating and killing the microflora..
 
  • #3
Silly duffer, wasn't he?
 
  • #4
that was my dad.
 
  • #5
I saw the program too on Discovery but I don't think there was any mentioning of drinking salty water. The conclusion drawn after carbon testing and consulting high ranking monk was that it was commonly for monks 1300(?) years ago to practise a kind of highly esoteric meditation for the sole purpose of dedicating the merit to the well being and the relief of pain and suffering of people. A truly altrustic act.

There use to be hundreds of mummies like that in Tibet but they were all destroyed by the communists in China (together with over 6,000 libraries and not to mention numerous other monstrous act). The subject mummy manages to survive because it is located within the border of India.

Namo Amitabha.
 
  • #6
Didnt he eat tree bark from some kinda tree (well duh) that had natural preservatives in it?
 

1. How did the Tibetan monk mummify himself without any material aids?

The monk, known as Lama Sanghasena, used a technique called "self-mummification" which involves strict meditation, a special diet, and gradually reducing oxygen intake. This process can take anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

2. Is the monk still alive while he is mummifying himself?

No, the monk is not alive during the mummification process. He enters a state of deep meditation, known as "tukdam", and remains in this state until his body naturally mummifies.

3. Why did the monk choose to mummify himself?

In the Buddhist tradition, self-mummification is seen as the ultimate form of spiritual enlightenment and a way to transcend the physical body. It is also believed that the remains of a self-mummified monk have healing powers.

4. Is this practice still common in Tibetan Buddhism?

No, self-mummification is not a common practice in Tibetan Buddhism. It was only practiced by a small number of monks in certain sects, and the last known case was in the 20th century.

5. What does the mummified monk's body look like?

The mummified monk's body is in a seated, meditative position with his eyes open and his hands in a mudra (hand gesture) symbolizing enlightenment. His body is shriveled and dried, but still intact and preserved due to the self-mummification process.

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