Born in 1852, Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov started his religious education at the age of 16. He studied in Anninsky Datsan, a Buddhist university in Buryatia and earned degrees in medicine and philosophy.
Like many lamas, he was very fond of herbs In 1911, he was appointed the 12th Pandito Khambo Lama , the head of Buddhism in Russia.
Mummification
Itigilov crossed his legs into the lotus position, began to meditate and, chanting a prayer for the dead, and then died. His body was placed and buried in a wooden box sitting upright in the lotus position, according to his instructions.
Additional Info
Galina Yershova, an anthropology professor at the Russian State University believes that at the time of the moisture discharge the lama died, after having resided in a specific state for more than 75 years.
References
http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Reln260/Russian%20lama.htm
http://www.messagetoeagle.com/mystery-of-lama-dashi-dorzho-itigilov-a-mummy-whose-body-defies-time/