Self-mummification I: Buddhist Mummies of Japan – Japanese History Dead Ideas: The History of Extinct Thoughts and Practices

That's right: *self*-mummification, mummifying yourself through a special 3000-day diet and regimen of spiritual exercises which will lead to your death but, if you do it correctly, will mummify your body and make you a sokushinbutsu or "Buddha in the Flesh." I witnessed many of these mummies personally while living in Japan. This is their story.

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