The embalmed monk in Mongolia may not have died yet

Some Buddhists believe that the Mongolian monk is practicing a deep form of meditation and may not be dead yet.

>>> Discovering mummy monks meditating according to lotus position in Mongolia

"The Lama sat in the lotus position, his left hand opened, his right hand symbolizing the sermon. This is a sign that this person does not die, but is practicing deep meditation posture according to the ancient Buddhist tradition. "The ancient Siberian Times quoted Ganhugiyn Purevbata, the founder of the Mongolian Buddhist Art Institute, at Ulan Bator Buddhist University.

Monk mummies were discovered on January 27.(Photo: Mongolia Morning News)

A mummy monk sitting in a lotus position, dating back to about 200 years old, was discovered on January 27 in Songino Khairkhan district. Outside the mummy is an animal skin cover, which can be cowhide, horse or camel.

According to the Telegraph, some Buddhist experts say the monk may be in a "tukdam" position, a form of deep meditation that can overcome life and death.

"If a person can maintain this state for more than three weeks, very rarely happens, the body will gradually shrink and eventually what is left is only hair, nails and clothes , " Barry Kerzin , a monk and doctor of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, emphasized. "If a meditator can continue this state of meditation, he can become a Buddha," the BBC quoted Kerzin as saying.

Mummy in lotus meditation posture.(Photo: Mongolia Morning News)

Local media reported that the mummy was discovered after police arrested a 45-year-old man. An unnamed official said the man stole the monk's mummy from the cave for sale.

The identity of the monk is still unknown. According to IBTimes, this may be the teacher of Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov (1852–1927). Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov's body was still intact and not decomposed, almost 90 years ago.