Buddhahood. The fast unto death, though not by the same technique reminded me of the Shokushinjobutsu of the Shingon--a Buddhist sect.
The following link may not be for everyone. We are talking here of self-mummification. http://sonic.net/~anomaly/japan/dbuddha.htm ++++++++++++ venantius j pinto Message: 12 > Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 03:38:01 +0530 > From: Goanet News <[email protected]> > Subject: [Goanet] Scholars Extraordinary ... the Kosambis (Dileep > Padgaonkar, ToI) > > Scholars Extraordinary > Dileep Padgaonkar, Sep 25, 2010, 12.00am IST > > (DEL) > > In 1947, much against his son's wishes, Dharmanand chose the Jain > manner to end his life he fasted unto death at Gandhiji's ashram at > Wardha. A deeply anguished Mahatma paid tribute to him saying that he > was a scholar who "preferred to work silently in the background and > never blew his own trumpet". It would have embarrassed Dharmanand > Kosambi who disdained money and celebrity no end to learn that six > decades after his death there is a surge of curiosity about his work > on Buddhism, especially among young Ambedkarite scholars; a surge that > will now doubtless soar on account of his granddaughter's diligent > labours. > > Read more: Scholars Extraordinary - The Times of India > > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Scholars-Extraordinary/articleshow/6621118.cms#ixzz10loiHg8O >
