Authorities in Thailand are investigating a Buddhist monastery in Phichit province after discovering over 40 human bodies allegedly used as part of meditation techniques.
The police uncovered 41 corpses at the Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery on Saturday, accompanied by official certificates of death and body donation, according to a senior officer who spoke to AFP.
Authorities are now contacting relatives of the deceased to verify whether the bodies were willingly donated. "Our priority is ensuring none of these remains were unlawfully obtained," said the officer, who wished to remain anonymous.
This revelation follows a similar incident earlier in the week when police found 12 bodies at a neighboring monastery in Kamphaeng Phet province.
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The head of the Phichit monastery, Phra Ajarn Saifon Phandito, explained to local media that the practice involves using human remains as part of a unique meditation technique he developed.
He stated that practitioners, including monks and abbots, meditate in pavilions containing coffins containing human remains and pass on their knowledge to others.
Phichit police are collaborating with authorities in other provinces to determine the extent to which this practice is widespread, as concerns about its ethical and legal implications continue to grow.
