Mummy of revered Tibetan monk now on Public display near Dharamsala

Tashi Jong (Himachal Pradesh), May 3 (ANI): The mummy of a revered Tibetan monk, Tokden Amtrin, has now been put on display at a monastery near Dharamsala.

After about five years of Amtrin's death, his mummy has been put on display at the Khampagar Monastery in Tashi Jong, about 85 kilometres from Dharamsala.

The disciples of Amtrin preserved the body of their guru using only salt and no chemicals.

A special meditation hall at the monastery has been built where the mummy, covered in traditional attire, has been put on display for people to pay their obeisance.

Popa Ramjam, a disciple of Amtrin, said they did not want their guru to leave them and that is the reason why they decided to preserve his body.

Ramjam spent almost thirty years with his guru assisting him before the latter's death.It was my desire and his other disciples' desire that he stay with us forever. Besides, when people come here for 'darshan' (to pay obeisance) they will get inspired," said Ramjam.

Ramjam also said that the mummy's face would remain concealed and the cloth will not be disturbed when people come to pay their obeisance.

"People can pay their obeisance to the mummy that way it has been kept. We will not remove the clothing from it. We built this meditation hall so that people can come and pay obeisance to Tokden Amtrin," added Ramjam.

In the 17th century, the 4th Khamtrul Rinpoche started the Yogi Sangha called 'Tokden', meaning those who have realized the nature of the mind.

Although these yogis are fully ordained monks, the Tokdens keep their hair matted and wear white robes.

In 1958, having foreseen the imminent coming of the communist Chinese, the eight Khamtrul Rinpoche came to India with a group of ten Tokdens and other reincarnated monks.

Tokden Amtrin was one of the ten Tokdens, who accompanied the eight Khamtrul Rinpoche. Tokden Amtrin passed away on July 1, 2005, in Tashi Jong at the age of 84. (ANI)