Posted: 25 February, 2015
by Web Guy Brett
Scan Reveals Hidden Surprise Inside This 1,000-Year-Old Buddha Statue
Researchers have made a shocking discovery inside a 1,000-year-old Buddha statue.
A CT scan revealed the mummy of a meditating monk encased within the metallic tomb.
It is believed that the mummy is a Buddhist monk who died in China around 1,100 A.D.
All internal organs have been removed, and the space around the corpse filled with "paper scraps that were printed with ancient Chinese characters," the researchers said in a press release.
Monks from the China region where the statue was found would typically survive on seeds, nuts and water for 1,000 days, then pine bark, roots and a toxic tea made from sap for another 1,000 days while sealed inside the tomb.
A small tube within would allow them to breathe, and a small bell they would ring to let others know they were still alive. Once the bell stopped ringing, they would be left inside the tomb for another 1,000 days.
It's believed that those who were mummified have achieved enlightenment.
The statue is now being displayed in Hungary at the Natural History Museum.