about 4 years ago, I participated in a formal charnel grounds group meditation at the Bodies exhibit. The three leaders were a Tibetan lama, a Theravadan monk from Staten Island, and a Korean Zen priest. I think Tricyle, the buddhist magazine, may have helped organize it. Cyndi Lee of Om Yoga, NYC, was there too.
Many dozen people filled the exhibit – we were allowed in after hours with a special ticket. We meditated on charnel ground stuff, mainly precious human life.
What I didn’t fully realize at the time was that the bodies in the Bodies exhibit are of very questionable provenance, sold by Chinese so-called medical colleges to a company that flays them, dissects them, plasticizes them, and displays them for immense profit around the world. Articles in the New York Times and elsewhere posit, with some very good detective work, that the bodies are those of executed Chinese political prisoners.
from Wikipedia: “20/20 produced a major report exposing the “secret trade in Chinese bodies.”[11] Claiming that bodies are sold on the black market for $300, the report spawned not only a series of other articles[12][13][14] but also a Congressional inquiry,[15] an investigation by the NY Attorney General,[12] and the resignation of Premier’s CEO Arnie Geller.[16]
Under the settlement agreement with New York City, Premier Exhibitions agreed to post disclaimers stating that they could not independently rule out the possibility that remains of Chinese prisoners were used in the production of the displays.[17]
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo concluded his investigation of Premier, finding “The grim reality is that Premier Exhibitions has profited from displaying the remains of individuals who may have been tortured and executed in China. Despite repeated denials, we now know that Premier itself cannot demonstrate the circumstances that led to the death of the individuals. Nor is Premier able to establish that these people consented to their remains being used in this manner. Respect for the dead and respect for the public requires that Premier do more than simply assure us that there is no reason for concern. This settlement is a start.”[18]”
I no longer visit or advise others to visit the Bodies exhibit, because I am troubled by the provenance issues. Tho’ it was very anatomically edifying. When I spoke to my meditation instructor about it, he noted the amazing interdependent nature of reality. Yes, executed Chinese prisoners, flayed and plasticized will wake you up.
Charnel grounds are heavy stuff.

yeah, that’s the big reason i didn’t go. the idea that they used prisoners bodies is revolting.

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