Mummy 1,000 years inside the Buddha image

Dutch scientists discovered a mummy inside a Buddha statue by applying CT scanning technology.

Buddha statue and mummy inside.(Photo: Drents Museum)

The statue dates back to the 11th or 12th century. The mummy inside has no organs, determined by a Zen master named Liuquan. After his death, this person may have been worshiped as an enlightened being.

According to RT, experts discovered images of human skeleton on CT scans. This process was performed at Meander Medical Center in Amersfoort, Netherlands. The team simultaneously took the research samples from the mummy and discovered pieces of paper with Chinese characters.

Dr. Reinoud Vermeijden said that it is unclear where Liuquan is being mummified. As expected, it could be China, either Japan, Laos or South Korea, which has a tradition of self-mummification.

The expert team said this was a very unique discovery. Results of DNA analysis are ongoing and may help reveal more information about Liuquan.

Previously, the intact mummy of a monk in a meditation posture dating to about 200 years was discovered in Mongolia. However, the information that the embalmed monk in Mongolia may not have died, but is only practicing a deep meditation form, has raised many skeptical opinions.