When the monks took up weapons, it was clear they had become a significant threat to the government. Tensions rose even further by 949 A.D., which was when the first major armed conflict occurred.

In the fall of 742, a Japanese emissary invited Jianzhen to lecture in Japan, and the monk agreed (although some of his disciples were displeased). But the crossing did not succeed.

Why did these monks in Japan choose to mummify themselves? The sacred mountains of Yamagata are home to 13 sokushinbutsu, who are believed to be in a state of deep meditation between life and death.

Dedicated Japanese monks spent years going through the horrifying process of turning themselves into mummies whilst they were still alive, mimicking a ninth-century monk named Kūkai ...

Japanese monk Osho Taigu will collaborate with the Pure Land Foundation in London to advocate for the adoption of ancient teachings and precepts ...

Shukubo: The Japanese temples where you can sleep alongside monks (Credit: John S Lander/LightRocket via Getty Images) There is perhaps no more immersive spiritual experience in Japan than ...

Japanese monks competed based on their inner beauty at a funeral expo to compete in the second annual "Most Handsome Monk Contest" on Aug 22. Spectators voted for the monk who was the most ...