ya, i know. it's a body sarira/relic肉身舍利. :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Aar%C4%ABra
http://sites.google.com/site/philosophydude/sariras.html
・The mummification of deceased
spiritual masters is an age old practice among Buddhists in
countries like Taiwan, China, and Thailand. The mummies, which are technically known as "Full Body Sariras",
but more commonly referred to as "Bodhisattvas in Flesh" (肉身菩薩), are highly
venerated because it is
believed that the incorruptibility (金剛不壞身) of the flesh is a sign
of enlightenment.
The practice itself began in ancient
China, probably as a modified form of second burial, where the
bones of the dead are exhumed, washed, and reburied 3-5 years after
the initial burial. The practice is not an indigenous feature of
Buddhism, nor does it seem to be supported by Buddhist theology,
which generally dismisses the importance of the body.
・The creation of Full Body Sariras is
generally seen as a religious ordeal that the deceased undertakes
voluntarily. The process begins with a living will: A
Buddhist master, upon sensing his own imminent demise, would inform
his disciples that he wishes to "seek a Full Body Sarira". meaning
that he wants to attempt mummification after death. The practice
is not very common, hence explicit instructions is required,
otherwise the body would cremated or buried.
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