Vietnam starts preservation work on mummified monks
Restoration work has begun in Vietnam to preserve the mummified remains of two Buddhist monks dating back over 300 years.
Despite their age, the well-intact condition of the corpses continues to baffle scientists to this day.
Dau Pagoda, located in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi, is the oldest of its kind in the country. Built in the third century, it is a
renowned Buddhist centre, made even more famous after the mummified remains of two monks were discovered. They are the
corpses of Vu Jhac Minh and his nephew Vu Khac Truong.
Till today, archaeologists have been unable to explain why their bodies, including their internal organs and brains, remain intact for
300 years. But worshippers say the monks achieved this by secluding themselves to meditate for 100 days.
"The superior had reached the height of his journey. In Buddhist thought, only these monks can remain intact after death. No one on
earth can imitate them," said Thich Thanh Tu, deputy chairman, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Council. The remains of the
monks continue to be worshipped in the pagoda, but floods, damp weather and rats have caused considerable damage.
Professor Nguyen Lan Cuong, who discovered the remains 20 years ago, is confident he will be able to restore them. "Our
preservation work includes two stages, each lasting for more than half a year," Prof Nguyen, head of the preservation team. "First,
we'll work on Superior Minh's remains with a new and special kind of lacquer coating. In the second stage, the broken arm and
cracks of the more damaged corpse of Superior Truong will be glued and re-sealed."
Once the preservation work has been completed, the mummies will be placed into specially sealed glass boxes to ensure proper air
quality and humidity levels.
MCN International Pte Ltd - August 28, 2003
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