Buddhist self-mummified priest gods of Japan

As if Japan’s ghostly legends and particular style of horror don’t already creep the fuck out of us, here come tales of real life monks who starved, then poisoned, the suffocated themselves over a period of years–first ridding themselves of all body fat, then severely starving and dehydrating themselves, then infusing their system with a poisonous lacquer by drinking a special tea made from sap. Finally, they’d bury themselves alive:

Self-mummified priest of Japan The third and last step of the process was to be entombed alive in a stone room just big enough for a man to sit lotus style in for a final 1000 day period. As long as the priest could ring a bell each day a tube remained in place to supply air; but when the bell finally stopped, the tube was removed and the tomb was sealed.

When the tomb was finally opened, the results would be known. Some few would be fully mummified, and immediately be raised to the rank of Buddha; but most just rotted and, while respected for their incredible endurance, were not considered to be Buddhas.

According to another website, “It seems that most Japanese mummies are to be found around Yamagata Prefecture (Northern Japan), and there may not be more than 6 of them.” This site offers some clues on where to find them, if you’re in Japan and want to pay your respects to a Buddha.

Buddha monk

“The Self-Mummified Monks of Japan” [thethinkingblog.com]

“Japanese Buddhist Mummies” [Japan Reference]

“Mummies in Northern Japan” [Daruma Forum]

Posted on August 7, 2007 by Chris Walters |
 
Filed Under People • Places • Religion 

 

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