Shugendō is a religion practiced in Japan since as early as the 7th century, and involves severe asceticism as a form of worship and spiritual development. While most of this involves mountain climbing, some of the more enterprising monks in the past 1000 years have taken to the attempt to preserve their physical form my mummifying themselves while they are still alive. 

Today's guest is Tony Srimongka! You can find him via his Twitter page!

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Sources:

• Ask a Mortician - Caitlin Dougherty 
• Atlas Obscura - Sokushinbutsu
• Mummipedia - Tetsumonkai
• Religious Rituals in Shugendo - Miyake Hitoshi
• SoraNews24 - Takigyo
• Senshu Tourism 
• Wikipedia - Shinbutsu Bunri
• Wikipedia - Sokushinbutsu
• Trip Advisor - Shipporyuji Review
• Japan Today - Sogen Kato
• BBC News - Sogen Kato
• BBC News - Fusa Furuya
• Wikipedia - Sogen Kato