sokushinbutsu

On today's episode Sophia tells the story of Sokushinbutsu, becoming Buddha in this very body, or self-mummification. This story is paired with another fabulous Franc Dusak wine, a 2021 Riesling. Visit us at  www.afinevintagepodcast.com for more information and to purchase merchandise!

Our sources include:

Jeremiah, Ken. Living Buddhas: The Self-mummified Monks of Yamagata, Japan. McFarland, 2010. 

Inkwright, Fez. Botanical Curses and Poisons: the Shadow-lives of Plants. Liminal 11, 2021. 

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20150501-a-500-year-old-mummy-with-teeth

The Smithsonian: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/science-explains-how-iceman-resists-extreme-cold-180969134/

The road to enlightenment can be a difficult one.  Some people, like the Pastor, avoid it altogether.  While others, like the Monk, are literally dying to travel it.