Authorities Ask LDT to Probe ‘Buddha Boy’

Sujit Kumar Aryal

Bara, November 29 The Central Regional Administration Office, Hetauda, has asked the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT) to investigate into the reality behind claims that a 14-year-old Buddhist boy is on meditation under a banyan tree at Ratanpuri VDC in Bara without food and water for the last six months. Regional administrator Rabindra Chakrawarty, in a letter sent to LDT on November 23, had requested the trust to probe into the claim as the issue involves religious faith. According to Bara CDO, Shanta Raj Subedi, the trust has been requested to make necessary arrangements for the investigation into the matter by the Lamas from the Buddhist monasteries of Lumbini. After the news spread of the seemingly incredible meditation, the Narayani Zonal Administration Office had on November 18 decided to put a drape around the spot where the boys is meditating so as not to let people see him. However the drape was removed after the boy consented to get it removed, CDO Subedi said. Namobuddha Tapoban Conservation and Promotion Committee (NTCPC), Ratanpuri, has been managing the devotees coming to see the meditating boy. CDO Subedi said the committee has not given any information about the volunteers involved in the management of devotees. He said the district administration office has also asked the Home Ministry to investigate into the facts behind the matter.

Bomjan continues meditation challenging medical history

A 15-year old boy, who seems challenging medical history, is silently meditating beneath a tree, without eating or drinking anything for more than six months.

Ram Bomjon, a normal boy of Bara district is silently meditating beneath a pipal tree in the same posture as the Buddha is depicted around 543 BC.

The Buddha achieved enlightenment when he meditated beneath a sacred pipal tree for 49 days.

Thousands of people are pouring into the dense jungle of southern Nepal to worship Bomjan as a new Buddha. The thick forest has been converted into a market following the popularity of the new Buddha boy.

According to Witnesses, they have seen light emanating from the teenager's forehead.

"He's definitely got thinner. Early in the morning he looks sunken, like there's no blood in him, but as the sun rises he seems to get brighter and brighter," reports quoted Tek Bahadur Lama, a member of the committee responsible for dealing with the growing number of visitors as saying.

Talking to Nepalnews Chief District Officer of Bara District Shanta Raj Subedi informed that the flow of people started to decrease after the local committee decided not to allow people to see him.

He informed that the local administration is also investigating about the money collected from donations offered by the people and also examining the claim that he is not eating and drinking anything since last six months.

“The District Administration had corresponded Lumbini Development Trust and Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (RONAST) for investigation about his meditation,” he added.

He said that though security unit had not been established in the area the administration is working closely with the local community for the security of Bomjan.

Vice-Chancellor of RONAST Dr. Dayananda Bajracharya described the incident as abnormal. He informed that they received letter from Ministry of Science recently adding they will decide later whether to send investigation team or not.

Bomjan has asked the people not to call him a Buddha, as he doesn’t have the Buddha's energy saying he is at the level of rinpoche.

“I need six years of deeoted Bomjan as saying.