
This May, Gower, a small rural town in Missouri, has unexpectedly gained recognition as a pilgrimage destination following an extraordinary occurrence related to the exhumation of a nun’s body. Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster, the founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, was buried at the age of 95 in May 2019. Remarkably, when her body was exhumed four years later, it displayed no visible signs of decomposition, leading to a surge of visitors to the town, approximately 40 miles north of Kansas City.
The preservation of Sister Wilhelmina Lancaster’s body has captivated the attention of hundreds of people, who have deemed it a “miracle in Missouri.” Despite expectations that only bones would remain due to her burial in a simple, unembalmed wooden coffin, the exhumation revealed her fully intact body, along with her religious habit impeccably preserved. Initially, the discovery was intended to remain private, but the news spread rapidly after a private email was mistakenly shared with the public.
While as a Buddhist disciple, I find this occurrence surprising, it is not unprecedented in Chinese Buddhist history. Throughout the annals of Chinese Buddhism, there have been quite a few revered masters and patriarchs who have left behind fully intact relics of their bodies after passing away. Notably, Nanhua Temple in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, houses three such relics: Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Zen; Master Hanshang; and Master Dantian. These examples from Buddhist history further highlight the profound reverence and awe associated with the preservation of such relics.

Huineng, widely recognized as the Sixth Patriarch or Sixth Ancestor of Chan (Zen) Buddhism, holds a significant place in the early history of Chinese Chan Buddhism. He is both a semi-legendary and a central figure in the development of this tradition. Huineng is renowned as the author of the influential Sixth Platform Sutra and is revered as the sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism.
To this day, Huineng’s physical body remains preserved in the Nanhua Monastery in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province. Clad in a yellow robe and a red shawl, his corpse serves as a revered symbol within the monastery where he once taught. According to the Biography of the Great Master of Caoxi (Caoxi Dashi Zhuan, circa 781), Huineng’s body was removed from an urn on September 8, 714. After being desiccated for over a year, it was carefully covered with glue and lacquer before being enshrined in a stupa, where it has remained since.
This preservation of Huineng’s body and its continued veneration serve as a testament to his profound impact on the development of Zen Buddhism and his lasting influence on generations of practitioners. The presence of his preserved corpse stands as a tangible reminder of his teachings and spiritual legacy within the Nanhua Monastery.


Mount Jiuhua, located in China, has a significant historical and religious importance as a Buddhist Holy Land, boasting a rich heritage that spans over 1600 years. Its origins can be traced back to the year 401 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when the esteemed monk known as “Beidu” journeyed from ancient India to Mount Jiuhua with the intention of constructing temples and spreading the teachings of Buddhism.
In 719 AD, when Kim Qiaoque, a prince hailing from Silla (present-day South Korea), arrived at Jiuhua Mountain. Kim Qiaoque dedicated himself to self-cultivation in this sacred place for an impressive span of 75 years. His life came to an end at the remarkable age of 99, and astonishingly, his physical body remained intact even after death. Due to the striking resemblance between Kim Qiaoque and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the revered monks residing in Mount Jiuhua firmly believed that the spirit of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had reincarnated within him. Consequently, Mount Jiuhua evolved into a significant site for conducting rites and rituals dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Throughout history, Mount Jiuhua has served as a dwelling place for countless enlightened masters. Historical records reveal an astounding tally of sixteen masters who achieved the extraordinary feat of leaving behind relics of their physical bodies, fully intact. To safeguard these precious remains, most of the relics were delicately adorned with a layer of gold, serving as a symbol of veneration from the people. These sacred relics not only stand as a testament to the spiritual accomplishments of these masters but also continue to evoke deep reverence and inspiration among devotees to this very day.




Just a few years ago, the esteemed holy monk Yinhai, a devoted disciple of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, departed this earthly realm, leaving behind a profound and awe-inspiring spiritual legacy. On January 15, 2017, Elder Monk Yinhai completed his earthly journey through impeccable spiritual practices. What followed after his passing was an extraordinary phenomenon that surpassed anything witnessed in Buddhist history.
Even after his physical demise, the holy monk’s body underwent a truly extraordinary and divine metamorphosis. In a stunning departure from the natural order of things, his fingers and nails continued to grow, presenting an unprecedented occurrence in the annals of Buddhist history. This majestic and wondrous manifestation set a remarkable new record that reverberated throughout the Buddhist community. Commencing on the tenth day following his passing, an awe-inspiring process of complete transformation unfolded within his flesh and bones. In a mere twenty days, his body underwent a magnificent metamorphosis, assuming a form that transcended all comparisons, resembling a sacred dharma image.
The astounding and sacred phenomenon demonstrated by the revered monk Yinhai stands as a powerful testament to the profound Buddha Dharma transmitted by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III in the annals of Buddhist history.

Across various religions, there have been instances of inexplicable miracles that defy the understanding and explanations provided by current scientific knowledge. These miracles, although beyond the grasp of science, undeniably exist. It is my sincere hope that individuals refrain from hastily dismissing them as mere superstition and avoid judging them solely based on their personal knowledge and beliefs.
The realm of spirituality and faith often transcends the limitations of scientific understanding. It encompasses dimensions and experiences that extend beyond empirical observations and logical reasoning. Just because something cannot be readily explained by scientific means does not diminish its significance or validity. Rather, it calls for a humble recognition of the vast mysteries that exist beyond the boundaries of human comprehension.
By approaching these miracles with an open mind and a willingness to explore the depths of the unknown, we can cultivate a greater appreciation for the diverse expressions of spirituality across different belief systems. It is through this mindset that we can foster respect and understanding, recognizing that our individual perspectives may not encompass the entirety of the world’s wonders.
Nun’s body intact four years after death in A Missouri monastery
Source: https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/nuns-body-exhumed-years-after-death-shows-no-signs-of-decay/
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