Comments on: Sokushinbutsu: Self-mummified Monks

By: Abhishek Ghosh

Abhishek Ghosh — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:24:21 +0000

The practice of self mortification is not unique to Buddhism. Jainism, an ancient religion which originated in India also has a tradition in which Jain monks stop eating and fast to death. Rarely practiced now, this penance is highly revered by Jains.

By: JMK

JMK — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:35:03 +0000

Diet would been safer. Call Richard Simmons next time.

By: JIm M.

JIm M. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:22:59 +0000

These individuals are known as Living Buddhas. There are eight mummified bodies on display in temples in Yamagata, and thirteen found in other parts of Japan. However, many had attempted the act that were unsuccessful. Check out the facebook site: “Self-Mummified Monks,” and a new book on the subject called “Living Buddhas: The Self-Mummified Monks of Yamagata, Japan.”

By: JIm M.

JIm M. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:20:09 +0000

Their desire to mummify had to do with the accumulation of merit (in their bodies) due to their ascetic practices. They wished to leave their bodies behind for the benefit of humankind, but they wished to die, and leave this realm of existence, so that they could become attendants of Maitreya, the future Buddha, in the Tusita heaven. Here is a new book on the subject that clarifies the process: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4880-7

By: JIm M.

JIm M. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:17:30 +0000

Actually, their reasoning was a bit different. There is a new book on the subject that has just recently been published. It is the first book on the subject in English. Here is a link to it:
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4880-7

By: бaкинeц

бaкинeц — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:17:59 +0000

На самом деле прикольный блог! Спасибо и… разумеется, пишите еще!

By: Phenome

Phenome — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:13:09 +0000

Nope, pretty sure you DO mean to be a jerk. Seriously, what kind of an asshole do you have to be to mock someone who’s nearly died due to botched surgery?

By: Jim M.

Jim M. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:44:10 +0000

I have been interested in self-mummification for a while. The first English-language book on the subject is being published soon. Here is a link to it: http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-4880-7.

I also have some great pictures of these individuals at this site: http://sites.google.com/site/selfmummifiedmonks/

By: Babyfacemagee

Babyfacemagee — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:58:41 +0000

Wouldn’t it have been easier to just have gone on a diet in the first place? A little self-discipline could haved saved you from all that suffering. Don’t mean to be a jerk but your story should warn others away from trying for the easy fix of surgery for a problem that is more mental than anything else.

By: Jenna

Jenna — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:12:39 +0000

I can’t imagine sitting lotus style for more than an hour…let alone 1000 days.
Although I suppose they wouldn’t have made it those 1000 days with no food or water. But still…