On the Phenomenon of the Incorruptible Bodies of the Vietnamese Buddhist Monks

The article highlights cases of preserving the bodies of Buddhist monks that did not decompose after death and that still are revered in Vietnamese monasteries: Vũ Khắc Minh and Vũ Khắc Trường who lived in the 17th century and Thích Minh Đức who lived in the 20th century. The article also describes the origins of practice of Buddhist monks’ saving bodies and examples of incorruptible bodies in Theravada, Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism, as well as the main narratives explaining the reasons for preserving the body (both rational and supernatural) and the goals pursued by Buddhists in creating mummies (veneration, pilgrimage, etc.).