The leader of the Buddhist sect Mahasandhi Foundation, known under the pseudonym Total Transcendence, is currently in temporary custody after being arrested on suspicion of drugging his assistants. He was placed in the third module of Sangonera prison, a facility that has drawn criticism and controversy in recent years. Prison sources indicate that, true to a longstanding pledge to remain silent, he initially chose to communicate only through gestures with guards and colleagues. That stance lasted roughly ten minutes, according to the same sources.
In Murcia, the Lama remains calm. The suicide prevention protocol was not activated during his intake because the assessment team determined it was unnecessary for the moment. He shares a cell and, so far, has not been involved in any incidents.
The detainee entered the module with a vow of silence that he had spoken of for years, a vow tied to his aim of constructing Europe’s largest Buddha at a complex in Abanilla. He reportedly entered the prison with a writing panel to communicate, yet insiders say he could not maintain full silence under the distinctive conditions of his current residence. Some inmates in the same wing, describing themselves as particularly problematic, urged him to abandon the silence or even issued threats, testing the limits of the pledge.
The individual sometimes referred to as the mercury guru, a 50-year-old detainee, spends significant time with roughly fifteen inmates. He forms friendships, dedicates part of his day to meditation—most notably in the morning—and generally appears to comply with prison routines, stepping out to the yard when allowed and avoiding serious disturbances.
180 kilos of mercury and cinnabar
The leader, José Manuel, was arrested on a Friday in mid-November by national police forces who said he was preparing energizing potions from mercury for his followers. The aim, as described by officials, was to influence their will for economic and energy-related purposes.
Beyond environmental crimes and illegal associations accusations, authorities contend that he had concealed a warehouse within the complex where the group operated. The raid recovered approximately 180 kilograms of mercury and cinnabar. Law enforcement officials say they had been pursuing him for more than a year. The information was provided by the Sect Group of the National Police and the Murcia Provincial Information Brigade, with coordination from Madrid’s Information Command, in an operation that culminated in the arrest of Total Transcendence.
The case continues to unfold as investigators examine potential links between the group’s activities, their alleged uses of toxic substances, and any broader financial or energy schemes. The public briefings emphasize the seriousness with which authorities treat environmental and public safety concerns, while also noting the delicate nature of managing a high-profile arrest within a religious community.