Ram Bahadur Bomjon

Ram Bahadur Bomjon
Native name राम बहादुर बामजान
Born (1990-04-09) April 9, 1990
Nepal
Nationality Nepalese
Other names Palden Dorje
Known for Buddha Boy
Parent(s)
  • Bir Bahadur Tamang
  • Maya Devi Tamang

Ram Bahadur Bomjon (Sanskrit: राम बहादुर बम्जन) born c. 9 April 1990, sometimes spelled Bomjan, Banjan, or Bamjan), previously known as Palden Dorje (his monastic name) is a controversial ascetic from Ratanapuri, Bara district, Nepal who gained widespread attention and media-popularity because of perceived semblances of being a reincarnation of Gautama Buddha.

Details

Bomjon himself has rejected any such comparisons: "Tell the people not to call me a Buddha. I don't have the Buddha's energy currently. I am at the level of a rinpoche."[1]

He went missing on 11 March 2006.[2]On 19 March 2006 Bed Bahadur Lama of the Om Namo Buddha Tapaswi Sewa Samiti (ONBTSS) told reporters that they had seen him in Bara district and that they had spoken to him for half-an-hour, during which Bomjon reportedly assured of returning in six years.[3]

He was again seen in August 2007, preaching to crowds in Nepal’s Hallori jungle, around 100 miles south of Kathmandu.[4]

Controversies

Claims by Bomjon's followers of his meditating for months without eating or sleeping has been disputed by reporters.[5]

Mahiswor Raj Bajracharya, the president of the Nepal Buddhist Council, has stated likewise: "We do not believe he is Buddha. He does not have Buddha's qualities".[6]

In 2010, Bomjon was investigated for attacking a group of 17 villagers. Bomjon claimed that they were intentionally disturbing and imitating his meditation, though the villagers said they were just looking for vegetables.[7][8][9][10] Bomjon claimed to have taken "minor action" against them with just his hands[7][8][9][10] after they had "tried to manhandle" him,[8][10] and to have stopped as soon as they apologized. However, the victims asserted of him striking them on their head and back with an axe handle,[7][10] resulting in serious injury to one of the victims.[9][10] He also refused to attend any potential trial.[7][10]

In 2012 Nepal Police announced that they had rescued a Slovak woman from Bomjon's followers. The woman had been held captive for over two months.[11][12]After the Slovak woman was released, followers of Bomjon assaulted five journalists and destroyed their cameras after they had recorded one of Bomjon's sermons.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bell, Thomas (21 November 2005). "Pilgrims flock to see 'Buddha boy' said to have fasted six months". The Telegraph. Bara District, Nepal. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Bhagirath Yogi (11 March 2006). "Nepal's 'Buddha' boy goes missing". BBC.
  3. ↑ "Nepalese Buddha Boy 'reappears'". BBC. BBC. March 20, 2006. Archived from the original on April 12, 2006.
  4. ↑ "BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Nepalese Buddha Boy 'reappears'". 2006-04-12. Archived from the original on 2006-04-12. Retrieved 2017-09-06.
  5. ↑ Buncombe, Andrew (November 11, 2008). "'Buddha Boy' reappears after year in jungle". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 25, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Nepal 'Buddha Boy' returns to jungle". Yahoo! News. 2008-11-22. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Bandari, Rai, Diwakar, Arun (July 26, 2010). "Police quizzes Buddha Boy over thrashing locals". The Himalayan Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 Lang, Olivia (2010-07-27). "Nepal's 'Buddha boy' investigated for attacking group". BBC. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  9. 1 2 3 Lamicchane, Upendra (July 24, 2010). "'Buddha Boy' thrashes locals". República (Nepalese newspaper). Archived from the original on July 29, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lamicchane, Upendra (July 26, 2010). "'Buddha boy' unrepentant". República (Nepalese newspaper). Archived from the original on July 28, 2010.
  11. 1 2 http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/nepal-s-boy-buddha-frees-slovak-hostage/story-yAL5Zd4XoPwm0xfMFlVulK.html
  12. ↑ https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-03-26/nepal-police-rescue-slovak-woman-followers-buddha-boy
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