A 200-year-old Buddhist monk found recently in Mongolia is still alive and near a state of Nirvana, Buddhists think.

The mummy, found late January in Songinokhairkhan, Mongolia is believed to be Lama teacher Dashi -Dorzho Itigilov.

According to authorities, the remains were confiscated from a man who stole the mummy from a cave in Kobdsk region and intended to smuggle it out of the country to sell it for a high price in the black market.

In a report by IBTimes, the mummy was found wrapped in animal hide and in lotus position, leading Buddhists to believe that the monk is in a deep state of spiritual meditation called tukdam.

"Lama is sitting in the lotus position vajra, the left hand is opened, and the right hand symbolises of the preaching Sutra," Professor Ganhugiyn Purevbata of Ulaanbaatar Buddhist University, said.

"This is a sign that the Lama is not dead, but is in a very deep meditation according to the ancient tradition of Buddhist lamas."

In an article posted on The Mirror, Dr Barry Kerzin, a Buddhist monk said that there is a strong possibility that the Lama may reach a Buddha state if his meditative state continues.

"If the person is able to remain in this state for more than three weeks - which rarely happens - his body gradually shrinks, and in the end all that remains from the person is his hair, nails, and clothes.

"Usually in this case, people who live next to the monk see a rainbow that glows in the sky for several days. This means that he has found a 'rainbow body'.

"This is the highest state close to the state of Buddha'.

He said that if the monk achieves this state, the lama may become a source of inspiration and bring others a deep sense of joy.

The monk is now in the custody of the National Centre of Forensic Expertise at Ulaanbaatar.