🙏THE MUMMY IN THE CAVE🤕
Beyond Ōhara, perched on the forested slopes of Yakisugi-yama (焼杉山), high above Kochidani valley (古知谷) and the old 'Mackerel Highway' (若狭街道), is Amida-ji.
Inside a small cave the temple's mummified founder continues to watch over the faithful.
In 1613 Amida-ji's (阿弥陀寺) founder, Tanzei (弾誓), finally became a 'living Buddha', achieving mummification whilst still alive (meditating within a stone coffin).
Tanzei is the southernmost mummified monk in Japan (a practice much more common in the north).
Ok, let me pause here.
This post may be upsetting to some people.
It will describe and -in part- show mummified monks.
There is a long history of self-mummification in Japan, and it was seen as an act of faith.
While it is difficult for most of us to comprehend, I don't find it in any way horrifying...BUT, please finish reading now if you would prefer not to see images of mummies.
Thank you🙇
These photos show real mummified monks in Northern Japan.
Sokushinbutsu (即身仏) is the practice of monks observing asceticism to the point of death and entering mummification while alive.
The process took around 3000 days and involved a diet called 'mokujiki' (木食 'eating trees').
These photos show real mummified monks in Northern Japan.
@camelliakyoto I think the last picture inspired an NPC from the Shin Megami Tensei/Persona franchises:
