Nepal ‘Buddha Boy’ returns to jungle

Nepal’s Buddhist Council do not believe that Ram Bahadur Bomjam is the reincarnation of Buddha

KATHMANDU (AFP) — A young man believed by followers to be a reincarnation of Buddha has returned to Nepal’s jungles to meditate alone, police said Saturday, as scholars cast doubt on his supporters’ claims.

Known as the “Buddha Boy,” Ram Bahadur Bomjam, 18, became famous in 2005 after supporters said he could meditate motionless for months without water, food or sleep.

“Bomjam went back into the jungle late Friday and all the devotees have left,” police officer Gobinda Kushwaha told AFP from Neejgad, a town in Bara District, 60 kilometres (37.5 miles) south of Kathmandu.

The “Buddha Boy” reappeared earlier this month after supporters said in March 2007 that he was going to meditate for three years in an underground bunker, although he was spotted on two occasions.

For the last 10 days, he has been blessing thousands of devotees who came daily to the site in dense jungle close to Neejgad…[the rest]