200-Year-Old Mummy In Mongolia Found Meditating In Lotus Position

Having trouble getting in your daily dose of meditation? Well, imagine doing it for several centuries.

Initial speculation is that the mummy could be a teacher of the late Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, a Buryat Buddhist Lama of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, whose body was also found preserved in the lotus position.

Sokushinbutsu, the Buddhist practice of self-mummification, which was performed between the 11th and 19th centuries primarily in northern Japan, was considered to be the ultimate act of religious commitment and therefore further enlightenment.

The remains were taken to Ulaanbataar National Centre of Forensic Expertise for further study.