After the news of the discovery of a mummified monk considered to be “not dead, but in a deep meditative state” earlier this month, it seems that a similar case may have been surfaced. While researching a Buddha statue that was on display in Netherland’s Drent Museum, the mummy of a monk was found inside, as CT scans show. It is presumed that the mummified body is the one of Liuquan, a Chinese monk who lived roughly 1000 years ago, and it seems that we are faced with a case of self mummification, although the fact that the body was found missing its organs and was filled with paper scraps covered in Chinese symbols may suggest otherwise. The body was studied by the Meander Medical Center in Amersfoort, Holland.
As the differences between Western and Eastern cultures and rituals couldn’t possibly more different, one can understand the fascination these kinds of discoveries holds upon us. While the idea that someone might reach enlightenment and transcend the physical body seems like an impossible concept, for many Eastern practitioners this represents the ultimate goal, which they devote their entire life to. In fact, the processes these monks have put themselves through in order to enter this state through self-mummification are as close tot torture as we can imagine: after putting themselves through dietary restrictions until close to starvation, they would willingly have themselves buried alive.
In all fairness, regardless of the methods used or the reason behind it, the whole world is fascinated by the idea of body preservation, be it as proof of spiritual enlightenment or in order to be used at a later date. One thing is for sure though, these artifacts are very valuable and should be carefully handled, for the risk of them being sold on the black market increases, as was the case of the Mongolian monk found earlier this year. Turning our attention back to the body of Liuquan, experts have taken samples in order to further analyze the artifact that will be on display in the Natural History Museum of Budapest until May 2015. So, if you have the chance, stop by and take a look for yourself.