A Buddhist builder in China who was buried alive for two hours survived by meditation and conserving his breath, according to the Mirror, a British tab.

Wang Jianxin, 52, should have died within five minutes of being entombed 6ft underground but by slowing his breathing he eked out an air pocket in front of his face until rescuers dug him out, says the tab.

Yes, the story was placed next to one that declared “Man wears ear hair with pride.” But tales of Buddhist monks performing herculean tasks while meditating abound. I don’t know if they’re true or not, one day I’d like to look into them.

Wang, the buried China man, said: “I knew the air wouldn’t last, so I made myself relax and concentrated on my breathing by meditation.”