A Buddhist monk was killed instantly in August 2007 when he was run over by his own sit-on lawnmower as he trimmed the grass at his temple. Moments before the tragedy, Rev. Seiji Handa, 50, was seen running after the driverless machine as it pulled away from him. Witness Venita Slater told jurors at the inquest this February that the monk disappeared beneath the tractor-style motor as he struggled to get into the cab and regain control. His dismembered body was found on a grassy slope at the 12-acre peace centre he set up 30 years ago in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Health and safety officials found that the diesel vehicle should not have been in service. The rachet on the handbrake wasn't working, the brakes were not able to hold the tractor steady, and the footbrake didn't work. Verdict: accidental death. Mr Handa was born in Japan and became a Buddhist monk at the age of 21. He was ordained at a peace pagoda in Sri Lanka. He arrived in Milton Keynes in 1978 and built a temple with the help of nuns and volunteers. He lost three of his fingers in another incident with a lawnmower 10 years ago.

Independent, Times, 25 Feb 2008