Back in 2005 Ram Bomjon started meditating under a tree for a period of 10 months without any food, water or sleep. What’s happened since?
Back in 2005 Ram Bomjon (nicknamed ‘Buddha Boy’) started sitting and meditating under a similar tree Buddha became enlightened under for a period of 10 months without any food, water or sleep.
While doing that, he drew in thousands of visitors and media attention.
The teenager began his meditation on May 16, 2005 around Ratanapuri village in Bara district in Nepal, many think he is the reincarnation of the Buddha himself.
This had created a huge increase of movement of people, which in return generated economic opportunities for the locals where makeshift shops have sprung up and offerings in cash and kind were on the rise.
Around the peak of his fame before he disappeared, his hair had grown long and almost covered his eyes, physically looking quite weak. Shrouded in a mist of incense and encased in a white shawl.
Local people having formed a committee to make sure Bamjon is in the right environment to meditate and to manage the amount of people coming in making their offerings.
His Sudden Disappearance
He suddenly left his meditation place in the middle of the night, where large crowds had been watching him, “because there is no peace”.
Around a year after his disappearance the world was shocked to hear from the young boy again.
On 26 March 2007, news spread of Bomjon meditating underground. Inspector Rameshwor Yadav of the Area Police Post Nijgadh, found Bomjon inside an underground chamber, a bunker-like ditch seven feet square.
“His face was clean and hair was combed well,” Yadav said.
According to him, the chamber had been cemented from all sides and fitted with a tiled roof.
Indra Lama, a local deployed as Bomjon’s caretaker since the beginning of his intensive meditation, said the chamber was prepared per Bomjon’s request.
“He expressed his desire to meditate inside the ground; so we built it,” he said.
On 2 August 2007, Bomjon talked to a large crowd in Halkhoriya jungle in the Bara district of Nepal. It was organized by The Namo Buddha Tapoban Committee, which has taken all care for Bomjon upon them.
They called people through phone and used the radio to make it publicly known. 3000 people showed up.
Bomjon’s message was:
“The only way we can save this nation is through spirituality. Materialism has brought forth fear, worry and disputes and has created war in this country. One should follow religion and philosophy for inner happiness,” Bomjam told the crowds in a 15-minute address.
Claims by the Media
Some supporters believe that claims of media are less relevant than Bomjon’s undisputed ability to remain nearly motionless in the same position day after day, with no regard for extremes of weather including cold winter and monsoon rains.
American writer George Saunders visited Bomjon and observed him through a single night, and was impressed by Bomjon’s perfectly still stature, even during an evening climate which seemed unbearably cold to the much better clothed journalist.
In December 2005, a nine-member government committee led by Gunjaman Lama watched Bomjon carefully for 48 hours and observed his not taking any food or water during that time.
A video recording was also made of this test from a distance of 3 meters.
Spectacular Reappearance in 2008
On 10 November 2008, Bomjon reappeared and gave blessings to around 400,000 pilgrims over a 12-day period in the remote jungle of Ratanpuri, 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Kathmandu, near Nijgadh.
His hair was shoulder-length and his body was wrapped in a white cloth. He made two speeches in which he urged people to recognize the compassion in their hearts, and their connection to one another through the all-encompassing soul.
People joined a six-kilometre (3.75-mile) queue to be blessed, a wait that 43-year-old farmer Singha Bahadur Tamang said was worthwhile.
“This is a miracle and he is the reincarnation of Lord Buddha himself,” said Tamang, who traveled eight hours by bus to hear Bomjam speak.
“I’ve been here for the last 10 days and the feeling is amazing. I really feel at peace here,” he said.
The Last Time We’ve Heard From Him
Making headlines on a local Nepali newspaper. Apparently Bomjon on July 22, 2010, admitted defending himself physically to some local villagers who came up to his place, a platform in the trees where he was meditating and were mimicking him and attempted to manhandle him.
Because of that he was “therefore forced to beat them”.
The local villagers said to have been assaulted in a way more serious manner, but Bomjon kept his cool and said to have slapped them “two or three times.”
I remember the first time I heard about him what it did to me, hearing about a 15 year old meditating for 10 months straight, without anything that is supposed to keep us alive. It made me realize that everything is possible if we are dedicated.
He became and still is that symbol for me, whether he appears in the media in the future or not. Think about, what is the reason this article got you interest?
