Search Buddhist Channel
Dalai Lama to guide mummifying Mundgod Monk
by PK Surendran, DNA India, October 14, 2008
BANGALORE, India -- Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama will guide the mummifying of the body of the Mundgod monk, Lobsang Nyima Rinpoche in Karnataka, who is believed to have remained for 18 days in "Thukdham," a stage of life after death where the body lies in meditative state without decomposing, and it is commonly practiced by high lamas of Tibetan Buddhism after physical death.
It is also said that during that period the body maintains the inner air. But, maintaining this sate of the body after death is considered possible only with the divine personalities of spiritual powers.
Lobsang Nyama was declared dead by KLE hospital, Belgaum, on September 13, but his disciples and followers in the Mundgod ashram considered their leader to be in "Thukdham" which if prolonged leads to reincarnation, according to Buddhist beliefs.
Consequently, the body was preserved and pooja conducted, and as the days went by, Tibetans and locals thronged the ashram.The Tibetan settlement at Mundgod is located some six hours drive from Goa. This settlement is the largest in India and was founded in 1966. Currently, there are nine camps with two monasteries and a nunnery.
They, along with researchers and scientists from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, and doctors from KLE hospital, had recently assessed the monk's condition.
The doctors measured the effect of this state on the Rinpoche's body through EEG, ECG and body temperature using latest scientific equipment. The Buddhist scientists and scholars have concluded that the spiritual teacher had remained in "Thukdham" for 18 days, reports Phayul, a Tibetan media portal.
The physician of KLE hospital, Dr.Vinay Mahishal, who had examined the monk and pronounced him dead later, told DNA, "There's no doubt that the monk is clinically dead, but I was surprised to see the prime condition of the spiritual teacher's body weeks after his passing away."
"Thukdham' project was initiated last December in collaboration with Dr. Richard Davidson's brain imaging laboratory at University of Wisconsin under the guidance of Dalai Lama, says the report.
The visiting research teams have reportedly expressed great surprise at the continued glow of the dead and recommended a further study of this state, which might help unravel the secrets of life and death.
As soon as Dalai Lama is well and fit to travel, the mummification process will begin. Meanwhile, the ashram continues to draw large number of Buddhists and others.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv