Northern Japan is home to an ancient; esoteric tradition of self-mummifying Buddhist monks; little known to the outside world. Long after death; these ascetics continue to be revered as Living Buddhas. This first English-language work on the subject recounts the process by which these monks starve themselves for a decade; bury themselves alive with only a small breathing tube; and meditate until death. After three years; the mummified body is exhumed and displayed. The biographies of various monks are presented within; as is an examination of the religious beliefs involved; an amalgamation of three distinct religious traditions. Also explored is the role of asceticism in religion; and beliefs about life and death shared by the Buddhist sects involved in self-mummification.
#866728 in Books McFarland 2009-11-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.80 x 1.00 x 6.90l; 1.60 #File Name: 0786435798431 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A very good book to add to your collectionBy Darwin F. ConconTinclads of the Civil War is a fantastic treatise regarding these small and lightly armored gunboats plying the smaller rivers and inlets of the Western Theater of Operations conducting anti-partisan warfare. Unlike the more famous ironclads; these ships and their brave crews went where the ironclads and larger warships could not go and usually far away from support. These crews were used quite a few times as marines engaging the enemy at close range. A very good book to add to your collection.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I like this bookBy ShawsParkTNI like this book; but I actually bought it thinking there would be some bits of history of the Mississippi Marine Brigade. Smith mentions this group several times; but not indepth enough for what I need. Also; he doesn't name the boats involved; even when the MMB is part of a Mississippi Squadron operation. Good book; well researched and his source notes are outstanding!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very Much Pleased With This Book !!!By K. McCullochThe author should be applauded for he had to have spent much time researching vast amounts of documentation. The book is very well written and most informative. Being a student of the Civil War and having ancestors that fought on both sides I was more than pleased with the book. .
