The Forbidden Practice of Self-Mummification

Summary by Krater

An explainer detailing the historical Buddhist ascetic practice of self-mummification (Sokushinbutsu) in Northern Japan, outlining the rigorous preparation steps and the few documented cases that succeeded.

From the video

Answers: What is self-mummification in Buddhism and how did monks achieve it?

• Sokushinbutsu
• self-mummification
• Japanese Buddhist ascetics
• Shugendo practices
• meditative mummification

What it concludes

• Sokushinbutsu is a historical Buddhist practice where select monks in Northern Japan attempted to mummify themselves while alive through rigorous fasting and meditation.
• The multi-step process involved Mokujiki (eating only forest-foraged bark and needles to eliminate body fat), fasting on saline water and Urushi tea, and being buried alive in a pine box with a breathing tube and bell.
• While thousands attempted self-mummification, only about 17 to 28 Sokushinbutsu are documented to have successfully remained uncorrupted by decomposition.
• Emperor Meiji banned the practice of self-mummification in 1879, classifying it as a form of assisted suicide or glorified suicide.
• The final officially successful case of Sokushinbutsu was completed by the monk Bukkai in 1903.