PHOTOS MUMMIFIED BUDDHIST MONK'S BODY COVERED IN GOLD

A mummified monk's body was covered in gold and buried in an ancient Buddhist ceremony in China. Fu Hou, died in 2012 aged 94 after spending most of his life at the Chongfu Temple on a hill in the city of Quanzhou in southeastern China.

The revered holy man 's body was lacquered and coated in gold at Puzhao Temple. The ornate burial practice is reserved for holy men in some areas with strong Buddhist traditions, the Telegraph reports.

His body was removed from a pot and washed in alcohol. The decision was taken by the temple to mummify Fu Hou to commemorate his devotion to Buddhism.He started practising as a monk at aged just 17. Fu's body was washed immediately after his death then treated by two mummification experts. The practise is reserved for revered holy men. It was sealed in a large pottery jar in a sitting position.The container was then opened three years later and his body was found to be in good condition and still sitting upright.His remains were then reportedly washed with alcohol and covered in layers of gauze, lacquer and finally gold leaf.