About this item
Highlights
- Northern Japan is home to an ancient, esoteric tradition of self-mummifying Buddhist monks, little known to the outside world.
- About the Author: Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about spiritual and religious phenomena.
- 242 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, Buddhism
Description
About the Book
"Northern Japan is home to the tradition of self-mummifying Buddhist monks. Long after death, these ascetics continue to be revered as living Buddhas. The biographies of various monks are presented within this history of self-mummification, as is an examination of the religious beliefs involved, an amalgamation of three distinct religious traditions"--Provided by publisher.Book Synopsis
Northern Japan is home to an ancient, esoteric tradition of self-mummifying Buddhist monks, little known to the outside world. Long after death, these ascetics continue to be revered as Living Buddhas. This first English-language work on the subject recounts the process by which these monks starve themselves for a decade, bury themselves alive with only a small breathing tube, and meditate until death. After three years, the mummified body is exhumed and displayed. The biographies of various monks are presented within, as is an examination of the religious beliefs involved, an amalgamation of three distinct religious traditions. Also explored is the role of asceticism in religion, and beliefs about life and death shared by the Buddhist sects involved in self-mummification.
Review Quotes
"the first English language book on the subject of the self-mummifying Buddhist monks of Yamagata Prefecture of North-Western Japan...informative...for anyone with an interest in the sokushinbutsu this very interesting book contains a wealth of information...fascinating...essential"-Diverse Japan.
About the Author
Ken Jeremiah has written extensively about spiritual and religious phenomena. He lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island, and runs tour groups to Japan, Italy, and other countries yearly.
