[Faline]

Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov was born in 1852 and began his religious education at the age of 16. He studied in Anninsky Datsan (a Buddhist university in Buryatia now in ruins) and earned degrees in medicine and philosophy. In 1911, he was appointed the 12th Pandito Khambo Lama (also spelled Hambo Lama), the head of Buddhism in Russia.

As Khambo Lama, Itigilov is credited with inspiring a Buddhist revival among Buryats and with founding the Gunzechoyney datsan, the first Buddhist temple in St. Petersburg. He was also closely involved with Tsar Nicholas II, who invited the Lama to his house during the 300th anniversary celebrations of the Romanov dynasty in 1913 invested him with the Order of St. Stanislas in March 1917.

Itigilov remained an influential figure after stepping down from his post as Khambo Lama in 1917. During the First World War, Itigelov founded the organization of “Buryat Brothers" that helped the army with money, meals, clothes and medication. He also built a set of hospitals with lama doctors helping wounded soldiers. For this he received the St. Anna Award.

In 1926, Itigilov warned his students about the coming terror of the "red teaching" and advised them to flee to Tibet. He remained in Siberia, and in 1927 he announced it was time for his passing. He asked the lamas to join him in meditation and begin funeral rites, and he died while meditating in the lotus position at the age of 75. In accordance with his will, the Khambo Lama's body was buried in a wooden box sitting upright in the lotus position.

Interestingly, Itigilov's testament also requested that monks exhume his body after a period of some years. This was done once in 1955 and again in 1973, after some difficulty in locating the body. Both times they found the body perfectly preserved and still sitting upright (which a dead body cannot normally do for more than two weeks). The monks did not publicize the astonishing phenemon due to the anti-religion policies of the Communist government.

Most Precious Body of Khambo Lama Itigelov
The exhumed body of Itigilov, still in the lotus position in which he died. Source unknown.

The body of Dasha-Dorzho Itigilov was transferred to Ivolginksy Datsan and publicly unveiled for the first time in September 2002, 75 years after his death in 1927. His body has decayed slightly since its exhumation but still remains in a state of preservation that baffles scientists and draws believers by the thousands.

In November 2004, Professor Viktor Zvyagin of the Federal Center of Forensic Medicine examined Itigilov's body in Ivolginsk and conducted analyses of hair, skin and nail specimens in Moscow. He concluded that Itigilov's body was in the condition of someone who had died 36 hours ago. "In my years of practice I have encountered quite a few instances of preserved bodies, but those were either the result of mummification" or extreme environmental conditions, Zvyagin said. "But this is something different, and for me, incomprehensible. It's a phenomenon that calls for the most detailed research."

Buddhists believe the 12th Khambo Lama was the reincarnation of the Lama Damba Dorja Zayayev, the first Khambo Lama, who was born in 1702. Lama Damba Dorja Zayayev lived to be 75. And 75 years after his death, Lama Itigelov was born, who also lived to be 75. Buddhists believe that the condition of Lama Itigelov's body, understood to be like no other in history, is evidence that he reached the state of emptiness. He has thus become a source of inspiration to many lamas and novices following the spiritual path and others of the Buddhist faith.

Many locals also believe Itigelov's body to have healing powers, and pilgrims flock to Ivolginksy to press their foreheads to the Lama's scarf. Wheelchairs and crutches are often left near the body as a sign of healing.

[Faline]

Not a one comment...how weird

[myleperfriend]

Actually Kelly I have heard of this. It is a little known legend among Buddhist circles. What's known as a living Buddha. A teacher who never really dies, only goes into meditation, from which they never return. I always thought it was just pretty stories, but this is the first time I've seen a picture. Excellent post. Thank you much.

[Curb Stomper]

Dashi-Dorzho is a cracking name.

[Dz]

Thats very cool. I would love to read more on this.

[Pigeon]

Gross

[Faline]

Originally Posted by DeezeKnutz ↗

Thats very cool. I would love to read more on this.

Yeah me too as seems quite interesting

[Sick Psycho]

Cool

[myleperfriend]

While this particular phenomenon is not common, it is common, or at least was for Zen masters and Buddhist Teachers to know when they would die. They would compose final poems, pass on final (and usually secret) teachings to their best students, and give their eating bowls to whomever they felt should take on the new role of leadership.

[1337_807]

TLDR