KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A court in southern Nepal has convicted a controversial spiritual leader known as “Buddha Boy” on charges of sexually assaulting a minor. Ram Bahadur Bamjan, believed by some to be the reincarnation of the founder of Buddhism, was arrested in January on charges of sexual assault and suspicion of involvement in the disappearance of at least four of his followers from his camps.
A judge at the Sarlahi District Court found him guilty on Monday of sexually assaulting an underage girl, with sentencing scheduled for July 1. The charges related to the disappearances of his followers are still pending trial. If sentenced, Bamjan could face at least 12 years in jail, but he has the option to appeal his conviction.
Bamjan is widely believed by many Nepalese to be the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. However, Buddhist scholars have expressed skepticism regarding Bamjan’s claims.
The spiritual leader was apprehended from a residence in a Kathmandu suburb after attempting to escape by jumping two floors from a window. Police discovered Nepalese banknotes worth $227,000 and foreign currencies amounting to $23,000 at the time of his arrest.
Bamjan gained notoriety in 2005 in southern Nepal when he asserted the ability to meditate without moving for extended periods while seated beneath a tree without food or water. Despite his initial fame, his reputation has waned due to allegations of sexual and physical assaults on his followers. Nevertheless, he continues to operate camps in southern Nepal where thousands gather for worship or residency.
