I am gonna study Buddhist breathing techniques in case I go into a coma and get buried alive by mistake.

Wang Ke, London, UK

To Amanda and her critics: perhaps it's because we in the West are so steeped in the Abrahamic religions, that we have a tendency to equate religion with belief. I'd challenge that perception -- to me, religion in its purest sense is less about belief than awareness.

There is a story about the Buddha. One of his listeners congratulated him on his wise teachings, but asked how she could possibly engage with his religion, when she had so much work to do -- so many responsibilities as a wife and mother. "Fine," said the Buddha. "I wouldn't dream of telling you to shirk your responsibilities, so next time you do the washing up, pay attention to your hands. Next time you tuck the children into bed, listen to the messages you're getting from your hands. Next time you take a bath, feel the sensations in your hands."

Anything you do that expands your awareness is a religious act.

Rob, London, UK

Read the story and look at the photos. It took two hours to dig him out, but his head would have been uncovered much earlier than that.

Stefan, Newport, Wales

Where can I buy a hat like that one ?

Paul, London , UK

He might have just fallen asleep?

chetas patel, croydon, surrey

Are you guys joking? He got lucky. Please don't read so much into it - it smacks of desperation

Fred, London,

what a good way to distract people from the key issue ,buddist survived?but i see it as(underskilled workers and lack of enviromental safety last but not least vilations of human rights)
these are the three elemental factors running chinese economy for over 10% growth per year,such violations if not recuperated could lead us to the end of economic liberalism and capitalism.

kamran, TEHRAN, IRAN/

Gals and Guys,
Jenni's correct: Buddhism is non-theistic.

There's a saying in Buddhism.
"Was 'the' Buddha a human? Yes.
Am I a human? Yes.
If Buddha can, so can I."

They say, "Buddha was just an ordinary human,
and an ordinary human is a Buddha."

An ordinary, poorly paid, working man did something that the doctors called extraordinary!
The Buddhists might say yes and no. Yes, it seems rare; and no, it's not anything more than the wisdom and peace everyone has inside.

Chuck , Houston, TX

Yet ANOTHER example of horrendous lack of safety for the workers in China.

I ask the people reading this newspaper - how it is obvious we would never send a 6 year old to work or a man to work in potentially lethal conditions in our countries... but we're more than happy to buy the products of this abuse in cheap shops within our countries!

No trade with China until China imposes protection and age limits for the workers there! The purchasers of these goods are just as guilty because we all know about the lack of Human Rights there, some (in fact many) just choose to ignore it. Shame on you.

louise, brighton, east sussex

Wing Ing It - Fate has nothing to do with it. It's more a case of site managers needing to implement proper safety procedures.

Ian Hunt, London, UK

I'd take my hat of to him, but I'm in beijing on a construction site and don't want to tempt fate.

Wing Ing It, beijing, china

From other papers it would seem that they reached his head within 20 mins but it took up to two hours to dig him out completely - so the report is slightly misleading. Main point is that he didn't panic and tried to slow his breathing which saved him.

Alison, Edinburgh,

I have seen Sadhus in India getting themselves buried in small tombs for days together. Its all techniques whether devine or knowing laws of physics

Satya Gorthy, London, UK

Dominic should direct his criticism, not at this individual, but at the system which allows people to be exploited.

Ian Hunt, London, UK

Is the writer of this article seriously suggesting that the air trapped in his hat was enough to keep him alive for two hours?

The body at rest uses 5-10 litres of air a minute. Mr Wang, as quoted, says that he found an air pocket in front of him, not that he breathed from the hat. However slow his meditation could make his breathing a hatful would not be enough.

Simon, Buckinghamshire,

Belief or no belief its a remarkable story...God says in His Holy Book: "Indeed, God is with those who patiently persevere". A wise man once said, ‘even the dim-witted is satisfied with his intellect’. For those who have insight, will take heed from the many signs of the Creator within His creation.

Believer, London, UK

Yes indeed. Nothing to do with God or religion, but all to do with reason and self-discipline. For this, the man should be hailed as an exemplar.

A miracle would require the laws of physics to be broken. That did not happen in this case and there is no evidence to support the occurance of miracles anywhere.

If you haven't already, do read Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion".

Ian Hunt, London, UK

Kevin wonders what would have happened if it had been an evangelical Christian. In that case the papers would have reported the folly of the individual in getting into the situation in the first place, and said that they expected prosecutions of the individual for ignoring health and safety laws! If his survival had got a mention it would have been a case of "God saving him from his own stupidity"!

dominic, Teddington, London,

Martin is quite right, though, in the need to press for better working conditions. God can't do this (because He doesn't exist). People must do it for themselves.

Ian Hunt, London, UK

<>< NO WORRIES ><>

Kevin, Lincoln, UK --- The answer to your question about what would have happened if he'd been an Evangelical Christian is this: He would be in Heaven now. NO WORRIES!!!!

Kay, TEXAS, USA

Jaysus Ben, a guy survives appalling working conditions "miraculously", and he'll see his family/friends tonight , yet you have to turn this great story into a 'God or not 'debate, by patronising Amanda. Intolerance reigns. Why not use your outrage protesting working conditions.

Martin , Melbourne,

Vishan and Amanda- This man was not saved because of a dogmatic belief in a higher power, but by having trained his body and mind through meditation. Buddhists do not believe in a "God" - a supreme power - rather they believe in each individuals potential to reach enlightenment through wisdom, virtue, and discipline. Many forms of Buddhism are better classified as philosophies or belief systems rather than religion, as there is no worship involved.

Jenni, Boston, MA, USA

Amanda,

Religion did not save this mans life , controlled breathing techniques did. Nothing magical, nothing mystical he did not pray to a god or think about a magical fairy land he could go to if he stopped breathing. Power of positve thought yes, religion no.

Ben Andrews, Brisbane,

An excellent triumph over adversity. Though you don't have to be a Buddhist or even religious to reap the benefits of meditation.

Stu, Cambridge,

I wonder what would have happened if he'd been a Evangelical Christian?

Kevin Hollingsworth, Lincoln, UK

Wonderful news. Inspiring. It saddens me when people are so dismissive and utterly disparaging of religion, this shows that it does help people to cope and in this case helped to save this man's life.

Amanda, London,

What a wonderful, overwhelming story. My heart really does go out to this man. It just show that you dont need money, all you need is someone and something to believe in... most people call this God..... some call it Buddhism!..
A truley remarkable story.. this man should be knighted.

vishan, bedford,

Outstanding.

james, Boston, MA . USA