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{{Short description|Nepalese religious leader}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ram Bahadur Bomjon
| caption = Ram Bahadur Bomjon in
| image =
| native_name = {{nobold|राम बहादुर बमजन}}
| native_name_lang = ne
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|34|2024|1|10}}
| birth_place = [[Ratnapuri, Nepal|Nepal]]
| nationality = Nepalese
| other_names = Palden Dorje, Buddha Boy
| parents = {{unbulleted list|Bir Bahadur Tamang|Maya Devi Tamang}}
}}
'''Ram Bahadur Bomjon''' ({{Langx|sa|राम बहादुर बम्जन}}; born {{Birth based on age as of date|34|2024|1|10|noage=yes}},<ref name="Pokharel-2024">{{cite web |last1=Pokharel |first1=Sugam |last2=John |first2=Tara |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Spiritual leader known as 'Buddha Boy' arrested in Nepal on sexual abuse charges |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/10/asia/buddha-boy-arrested-sex-abuse-charges-nepal-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110235138/https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/10/asia/buddha-boy-arrested-sex-abuse-charges-nepal-intl/index.html |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> sometimes spelled ''Bomjan'', ''Banjan'', or ''Bamjan''), previously known as '''''Palden Dorje''''' (his monastic name) is an [[ascetic]] from [[Ratnapuri, Nepal|Ratanapuri, Bara district, Nepal]] who gained widespread attention and media popularity because of perceived semblances to [[Gautama Buddha]], leading to claims that he is a [[reincarnation]] of Gautama Buddha.
Bomjon's followers have claimed that he [[meditation|meditates]] for months [[fasting|without eating]] or [[sleep deprivation|sleeping]].<ref name="Buncombe-2008" /> Buddhist scholars have disputed these claims.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=Nepal convicts 'Buddha Boy' of child sexual abuse |url=https://www.dw.com/en/nepal-convicts-buddha-boy-of-child-sexual-abuse/a-69473401 |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]], [[Associated Press]] |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626143741/https://www.dw.com/en/nepal-convicts-buddha-boy-of-child-sexual-abuse/a-69473401 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2024, Bomjon was convicted on charges of [[child sexual abuse]].<ref name="South China Morning Post-2024" /><ref name="Gurbacharya-2024" />
== Biography ==
In May 2005, the 15-year-old Bomjon left his home near the Indian border after a dream in which a god appeared to him and told him to do so, and sat amongst the roots of a [[Ficus religiosa|pipal tree]] to meditate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/ram-bornjon-miracle-meditating|title=The Incredible Buddha Boy|author=George Saunders|date=7 May 2006|publisher=GQ|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=5 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305021754/https://www.gq.com/story/ram-bornjon-miracle-meditating|url-status=live}}</ref> Claims suggest that for 10 months he rarely spoke, drank, ate, or even moved. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people visited the site to see the boy motionless for hours, days or as rumoured even months, or came in devotion to the possibility of an important spiritual event occurring.<ref name="BBC-2006" />
As a result of some of these claims, Bomjon's followers believe he is an incarnation of the historical Buddha, [[The Buddha|Gautama]].<ref name="BBC-2006">{{cite news |title=Nepalese Buddha Boy 'reappears' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4824530.stm |website=BBC |date=20 March 2006 |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-date=12 April 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412190524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4824530.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Bomjon has rejected such comparisons, saying "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]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/1503549/Pilgrims-flock-to-see-Buddha-boy-said-to-have-fasted-six-months.html|title=Pilgrims flock to see 'Buddha boy' said to have fasted six months|last=Bell|first=Thomas|date=21 November 2005|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=5 February 2014|___location=Bara District, Nepal|archive-date=21 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321215631/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/nepal/1503549/Pilgrims-flock-to-see-Buddha-boy-said-to-have-fasted-six-months.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Mahiswor Raj Bajracharya, the president of the [[Nepali buddhism|Nepal Buddhist Council]], has stated likewise: "We do not believe he is Buddha. He does not have Buddha's qualities".<ref>{{cite news |date=2008-11-22 |title=Nepal 'Buddha Boy' returns to jungle |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081122/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalreligionbuddhism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208100452/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081122/wl_sthasia_afp/nepalreligionbuddhism |archive-date=December 8, 2008 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> Buddhist scholars have been sceptical of Bomjon's claims to be able to meditate for months on end without food or drink.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2024" />
On 11 March 2006, he went missing.<ref>{{cite news |author=Yogi |first=Bhagirath |date=11 March 2006 |title=Nepal's 'Buddha' boy goes missing |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4797064.stm |publisher=BBC}}</ref> On 19 March, 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 that he would return in six years.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 20, 2006 |title=Nepalese Buddha Boy 'reappears' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4824530.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412190524/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4824530.stm |archive-date=April 12, 2006 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=}}</ref>
He was seen again in August 2007, preaching to crowds in Nepal's Hallori jungle, around 100 miles south of [[Kathmandu]].<ref name="Buncombe-2008">{{Cite news |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |date=November 11, 2008 |title='Buddha Boy' reappears after year in jungle |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/buddha-boy-reappears-after-year-in-jungle-1011713.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225095547/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/buddha-boy-reappears-after-year-in-jungle-1011713.html |archive-date=December 25, 2008 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>
== Legal issues ==
In 2010, Bomjon was investigated for attacking a group of 17 villagers. Bomjon claimed that they were intentionally disturbing his meditation. However, the villagers said they were just looking for vegetables.<ref name="Bandari, Rai-2010">{{Cite news |last=Bandari, Rai |first=Diwakar, Arun |date=July 26, 2010 |title=Police quizzes Buddha Boy over thrashing locals |url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Police+quizzes+Buddha+Boy+over+thrashing+locals&NewsID=251193 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801133251/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Police+quizzes+Buddha+Boy+over+thrashing+locals&NewsID=251193 |archive-date=August 1, 2010 |work=[[The Himalayan Times]]}}</ref><ref name="Lang-2010">{{cite web |last=Lang |first=Olivia |date=2010-07-27 |title=Nepal's 'Buddha boy' investigated for attacking group |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10776957 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211020423/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10776957 |archive-date=2021-02-11 |access-date=2012-02-17 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref name="Lamicchane-2010b">{{Cite news |last=Lamicchane |first=Upendra |date=July 24, 2010 |title='Buddha Boy' thrashes locals |url=http://www.myrepublica.com:80/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=21399 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729030639/http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=21399 |archive-date=July 29, 2010 |work=[[República (Nepalese newspaper)]]}}</ref><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a">{{Cite news |last=Lamicchane |first=Upendra |date=July 26, 2010 |title='Buddha boy' unrepentant |url=http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=21467 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728063115/http://myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=21467 |archive-date=July 28, 2010 |work=[[República (Nepalese newspaper)]]}}</ref> Bomjon claimed to have taken "minor action" against them with just his hands<ref name="Bandari, Rai-2010" /><ref name="Lang-2010" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010b" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a" /> after they had "tried to manhandle" him,<ref name="Lang-2010" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a" /> and stopped as soon as they apologized. However, the victims claim that for three hours he struck them on their head and back with an axe handle,<ref name="Bandari, Rai-2010" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a" /> resulting in serious injury of one of the victims.<ref name="Lamicchane-2010b" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a" /> Bomjon refused to attend any potential trial, stating, "Do you think a meditating [[sage (philosophy)|sage]] will go to the court to hear a case? I took action against them as per the [[divine law]]".<ref name="Bandari, Rai-2010" /><ref name="Lamicchane-2010a" />
In 2012, [[Nepal Police]] announced that they had rescued a [[Slovaks|Slovak]] woman from Bomjon's followers, but other reports claimed that she had been voluntarily released after media coverage of the kidnapping. ''[[Newsweek]]'' reported she had been taken from a hotel by two of Bomjon's men riding on a motorcycle and kept tied to a tree for three months and accused of practicing witchcraft in order to disturb Bomjon’s meditation.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brennan |first=David |date=7 January 2019 |title="Buddha Boy" spiritual leader investigated over missing followers and sexual abuse allegations |url=https://www.newsweek.com/buddha-boy-spiritual-leader-investigated-over-missing-followers-sexual-abuse-1281863 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127121537/https://www.newsweek.com/buddha-boy-spiritual-leader-investigated-over-missing-followers-sexual-abuse-1281863 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |access-date=10 January 2019 |website=Newsweek}}</ref> However, another report claimed she had been kidnapped from a monastery. When she was released, she had a broken arm.<ref name="Hindustan Times-2012">{{cite web |date=27 March 2012 |title=Nepal's Boy Buddha frees Slovak hostage |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/nepal-s-boy-buddha-frees-slovak-hostage/story-yAL5Zd4XoPwm0xfMFlVulK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111233520/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/nepal-s-boy-buddha-frees-slovak-hostage/story-yAL5Zd4XoPwm0xfMFlVulK.html |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=10 January 2019 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Nepal police rescue Slovak woman from followers of Buddha boy |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-03-26/nepal-police-rescue-slovak-woman-followers-buddha-boy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929101809/https://www.pri.org/stories/2012-03-26/nepal-police-rescue-slovak-woman-followers-buddha-boy |archive-date=2020-09-29 |access-date=2024-01-11 |website=Public Radio International|date=31 July 2016 }}</ref> A week after her release, Bomjon's siblings accused him of holding his brothers captive overnight, and beating his brothers and his sister.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhandari |first1=Diwakar |date=2012-04-03 |title=Buddha Boy turns violent' thrashes siblings Holds three of his brothers hostage overnight |newspaper=Himalayan Times |url=http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Buddha+Boy+turns+violent%E2%80%9A+thrashes+siblings&NewsID=326582 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140208145133/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Buddha+Boy+turns+violent%E2%80%9A+thrashes+siblings&NewsID=326582 |archive-date=2014-02-08 }}</ref> Followers of Bomjon also assaulted five journalists and destroyed their cameras after they had recorded one of Bomjon's sermons.<ref name="Hindustan Times-2012" />
An investigation was opened in January 2019 after complaints from family members that four devotees had gone missing from several of Bomjon's [[Ashram|ashrams]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Emburry-Dennis |first1=Tom |title=Ashram of 'Buddha boy' worshipped as reincarnation of Buddha raided by police after devotees 'disappear' |newspaper=Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/buddha-boy-tibet-missing-persons-ram-bahadur-bomjon-police-raid-a8717031.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108191030/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/buddha-boy-tibet-missing-persons-ram-bahadur-bomjon-police-raid-a8717031.html |archive-date=2019-01-08 }}</ref> In the same month, police raided one of Bomjon's ashrams in Nepal, but he was not found.<ref name="Pokharel-2019">{{Cite web |last1=Pokharel |first1=Sugam |last2=Berlinger |first2=Joshua |date=2019-01-11 |title=Police raid 'Buddha boy' ashram in Nepal |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/asia/buddha-boy-ashram-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201175527/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/10/asia/buddha-boy-ashram-intl/index.html |archive-date=2022-02-01 |access-date=2022-02-01 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> On February 6, 2020, the [[Sarlahi District]] Court issued an arrest warrant against Bomjon. The following day, police raided another one of his [[ashram]]s in [[Kamalamai]], [[Sindhuli District]], but Bomjon again was not found. However, police did arrest one of his disciples, Gyan Bahadur Bomjan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarlahi court issues warrant against 'Buddha Boy', but police fail to track him down |newspaper=The Kathmandu Post |language=English |url=https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2020/02/07/sarlahi-court-issues-warrant-against-buddha-boy-but-police-fail-to-track-him-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201175528/https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-3/2020/02/07/sarlahi-court-issues-warrant-against-buddha-boy-but-police-fail-to-track-him-down |archive-date=2022-02-01 |access-date=2022-02-01 }}</ref> A trial in the case is pending.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2024" />
{{anchor|Arrest}}
=== Sexual abuse charges ===
In September 2018, Bomjon was accused of raping an 18-year-old nun repeatedly for nearly two years.<ref name="Online Khabar-2018">{{cite web |date=16 September 2018 |title='Ascetic' Ram Bahadur Bamjan accused of raping nun |url=http://english.onlinekhabar.com/ascetic-ram-bahadur-bamjan-accused-of-raping-nun.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916195014/http://english.onlinekhabar.com/ascetic-ram-bahadur-bamjan-accused-of-raping-nun.html |archive-date=16 September 2018 |access-date=14 November 2018 |website=Online Khabar}}</ref><ref name="Pokharel-2019" /> During a press conference organized by women's rights groups, the nun also accused his wife of trying to keep the abuse hidden so as not to "attract attacks" on their religion. Supporters of Bomjon claim that the nun was in fact involved in theft, and had been expelled from the monastery.<ref name="Online Khabar-2018" /> Nepalese authorities issued an arrest warrant for Bomjon in January 2020.<ref name="Pokharel-2024" />
On 9 January 2024, based on that 2020 warrant, a team from the [[Central Investigation Bureau]] of the Nepal police arrested Bomjon at his hideout in [[Budhanilkantha]].<ref name="The Kathmandu Post-2024">{{cite news |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Police seize over Rs33 million from Ram Bahadur Bomjan's residence |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/01/10/police-seize-over-rs33-million-from-ram-bahadur-bam-s-residence |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110160335/https://kathmandupost.com/national/2024/01/10/police-seize-over-rs33-million-from-ram-bahadur-bam-s-residence |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Kathmandu Post]]}}</ref> Bomjon was arrested after jumping two floors from a window during his escape attempt.<ref name="Gurbacharya-2024" /> They also confiscated Nepalese currency and foreign currencies of over 17 different countries, equivalent to [[Nepalese rupee|NPR]] 33 million.<ref name="The Kathmandu Post-2024" />
In June 2024, Bomjon was convicted of [[child sexual abuse]].<ref name="South China Morning Post-2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-06-25 |title=Nepal convicts 'Buddha boy' of child sex abuse |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3267967/nepal-convicts-buddha-boy-child-sex-abuse |access-date=2024-06-26 |newspaper=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en |agency=[[Reuters]], [[Agence France-Presse]] |archive-date=25 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625092708/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3267967/nepal-convicts-buddha-boy-child-sex-abuse |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gurbacharya-2024">{{Cite magazine |last=Gurbacharya |first=Binaj |date=2024-06-25 |title='Buddha Boy' Convicted of Sexual Assault |url=https://time.com/6991509/nepal-buddha-boy-sexual-assault/ |access-date=2024-06-26 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |language=en |archive-date=26 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626022030/https://time.com/6991509/nepal-buddha-boy-sexual-assault/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was sentenced to ten years in prison,<ref name="Gurubacharya-2024">{{Cite news|last=Gurubacharya |first=Binaj |date=1 July 2024 |title=Spiritual leader 'Buddha Boy' sentenced to 10 years for sexually assaulting a child |newspaper=Independent |___location=United Kingdom |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/buddha-boy-jailed-nepal-sexual-assault-b2571963.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702014859/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/buddha-boy-jailed-nepal-sexual-assault-b2571963.html |archive-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> but had until 10 September to [[appeal]] his conviction.<ref name="Deutsche Welle-2024" /><ref name="Gurubacharya-2024" /> He was later acquitted by the Janakpur High Court, who overturned the earlier conviction because the case had been filed after the [[statute of limitationz]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=High Court acquits Ram Bahadur Bomjan on child sexual abuse case |url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2025/04/17/high-court-acquits-ram-bahadur-bomjan-on-child-sexual-abuse-case |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref>
==
* [[Buddhism]]
* [[Buddha claimants]]
* [[Maitreya claimants]]
* [[Inedia]], the belief that some people can live without food
* [[Anorexia mirabilis]], a form of spiritual self-starvation
==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bomjon, Ram Bahadur}}
[[Category:1990s births]]
[[Category:21st-century Buddhists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nepalese Buddhists]]
[[Category:People from Bara District]]
[[Category:Religious figures convicted of child sexual abuse]]
[[Category:Tamang people]]
[[Category:Violence against women in Nepal]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
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