Scientists shocked to find 1000-year-old mummy inside ancient Chinese Buddha statue

Scientists shocked to find 1000-year-old mummy inside ancient Chinese Buddha statue

A CT-scanof an ancient Buddha statue has led to the unique discovery of a mummified Chinese monk, dating back to the 11th century and preserved in the same position as its exterior statue.

The Buddha statue, which was on display at the Drents Museum in Assen Netherlands, was analyzed at the Meander Medical Center in Amersfoort.

A team of scientists and doctors tested the statue using CT-scan imaging and an endoscope. Amsterdam resident Erik Bruijn headed the project, according to the NL Times online.

The mummified body has been identified as Master Liuquan, a Buddhist monk who likely practiced Sokushinbutsu, or self-mummification. These monks would typically subsist on water, seeds and nuts for 1,000 days, then roots, pine bark and a toxic tea made from sap of the Chinese lacquer tree for another 1,000 days while sealed inside a stone tomb.

They would breathe through a small tube and ring a bell to let everyone know they were still alive. Once the ringing stopped, they’d be left inside for another 1,000 days.

Those who were mummified are said to have achieved enlightenment. Radiologist Ben Heggelman tookbone samples to confirm the mummy’s identification with DNA testing.

The statue, which is currently visiting Hungary, will be on display in Budapest until May 2015 in the Natural History Museum.

Fill in the gaps with words from the text.

1. There were some new paintings on … in the museum.

2. InTibet he met some Buddhist … who were living among the hills.

3. This is an … story, written more than two thousand years ago.

4. When he died, they buried him in a … at the Cathedral.

5. He is a famous sculptor who has made dozens of … .

6. Some animals chewed the … of this tree.

7. They took a blood … from him for medical tests.

8. The area was … by the police so nobody could enter.

9. There was smoke in the room so it was difficult to … .

10. There are many new … in the town who have moved there recently.

Key:

1. display

2. monks

3. ancient

4. tomb

5. sculptures

6. bark

7. sample

8. sealed

9. breathe

10. residents