See Mummified Monk Who Was Meditating For 200 Years

The amazing mummified remains of a man apparently
 meditating in the lotus position have been unearthed in Mongolia

The mummified remains of a monk meditating in the lotus position have been discovered in Mongolia.

The human relic, which had been preserved in cattle skin, was found this week in Songinokhairkhan province. The mummified body sits in a lotus position, as if still meditating, and is believed to be at least 200 years old, i.e. the monk sat undiscovered since the 1800s.

The stunning discovery of the relics has sparked a forensic investigation into the unknown religious devotee. . Experts that only had time to carry basic visual test are currently analysing the remains at the Ulaanbaatar National Centre of Forensic Expertise.

Sokushinbutsu refers to a practice of Buddhist monks observing austerity to the point of death and mummification. This process of self-mummification was mainly practiced in Northern Japan between the 11th and 19th century.

The practitioners of sokushinbutsu did not view this practice as an act of suicide, but rather as a form of further enlightenment.  Those who succeeded were revered, while those who failed were nevertheless respected for the effort. It is believed that many hundreds of monks tried, but only 24 such mummifications have been discovered to date.