This is one of the strangest things that I have ever read. The article tells about a monk who apparently performed what is called "self-mummification" on humself and his 1,000 year old skeleton has been found inside of a statue of Buddha. The process took several years, and sounds very terrible to do to yourself. For almost three years, the monk eats only seeds and nuts, to lose the fat from his body. Then for another three years, he eats roots and bark. After that, he drinks a poiconous tea, which clears anything else out of his body. Once all that is done, the monk is put inside the stature, in a lotus postiion, and sits there as he dies. Here is the story and pictures showing the skeleton inside of the statue. http://news.discovery.com/history/a...-sits-inside-ancient-buddha-statue-150223.htm
I think I have heard about self-mummification before, but not about a monk ending up inside a statue. I find the x-ray of the statue rather creepy and I agree that the whole process seems like a terrible thing to do to yourself. Holy men of different religions have always had some strange practices and ideas. I suppose at that time any monks who did this would be admired for their religious devotion.
That sounds like a terrible way to die. I do admire the dedication he had to his cause and whatever it was he was trying to prove. Monks are some of the most fascinating people. I wish I could have the enlightenment and peace of mind that those individuals have.
That is surely a unique find, Yvonne. About an hours walk from my home is "Buddha Mountain", a beautiful place to walk and visit. On top of the mountain is a place with many Buddha Statues, showing the different ways of Buddhism. One is of an emaciated Monk and the message on the bottom is that we should NOT let ourselves go so thin and it not only is unhealthy but not really following any teachings of the Buddha.
That is certainly an odd practice. I'm glad to know that it's seldom been done. I don't know why I say this, but it seems rather like trying to cook and eat oneself. Just bizarre all the way around.
Allie, I certainly agree with you. I was horrified that a person would intentionally commit suicide in such a terrible way, and think that it was proof of how much they loved God,and were trying to become divine in some odd sort of way. It is not so much different than the suicide bombers of today think, they just have a much different way of ending their life. I was comparing that with the Christian beliefs, where we are told that commiting suicide is not right, and we should care for our bodies.
We Buddhists are not supposed to commit suicide either, but things do happen! For me, I doubt if I ever will be thin again, but perhaps a very corpulent mummy!
Richard, I am glad to hear that this is not something that is considered beneficial, and that Buddhists are not encouraged to do this. That people of any religion seem to think that they should abuse their bodies or end their life to please their God , and even worse, the ones who think they have to kill and harm other people to please their God; seems to me like a terrible misconception of what God wants from us as His people. How the holy teachings about loving our neighbor can get that far twisted out of the original meaning is hard to understand, and I wish that this world could just learn to live at peace with each other regardless of any person's personal religious beliefs.
Like most things that are messed up in the world, Yvonne, as soon as some charismatic and greedy person comes along, he or she will decide and brainwash people to think that only they know the REAL MEANING!