Security camera footage showing ‘the spirit leaving the body’ of a 164-year-old mummified monk has people convinced he ‘remains alive’
Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov is thought to live on within his mummified body
NEARLY eight decades ago, a Siberian monk was mummified as he sat in the lotus meditation position.
Now, 79 years after his death, spiritual leaders are convinced his ghost lives on.
There have been claims that Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov, a former revered Buddhist leader in Russia, lives on inside his exceptionally preserved body for years - in a hibernation-like state.
And these are the pictures said to prove that he went walkabout within his palace just last month.
Lama Itigilov's remains are normally kept within a glass case on the second floor of his 'palace' near Ulan-Ude in Siberia.
The practice of mummifying monks while meditating has been common in countries spanning from China to India - as the men attempted to turn themselves into a Buddha through prolonged meditation.
Some Buddhists believe that this particular lama, who died in 1927 and was buried in the lotus position before his remains were exhumed with almost no decay, remains alive or hibernates in a nirvana-like state.
Lama Ayusheev hit back at doubters - and dismissed theories that the figure is nothing more than a security guard carrying two plastic bags.
The lama wrote on social media: "This is not a joke, that's for sure.
"I see a figure of a man on the shot, as you do, and I know precisely there could not be anyone in the Palace of Khambo Lama Itigilov at this time.
"There should be no-one there. The lama is in five or six metres down the hall on his throne, and this place is at the front door.
"There is no video, only a flash from the body on the shot.
"I was taken aback by this image, though somewhere in the depths of the mind I imagined such a possibility, but it still was not ready for this."
Paranormal enthusiast Scott C Waring wrote on ufosightingsdaily.com: "The monk was practicing being at one with the universe, and he is still meditating to this day in the same location.
"His spirit is so strong, it holds on to all that he loves, including the place he died."