Ram Bahadur Bamjan, heart wearing white, believed by some to be the reincarnation of Buddha, is surrounded by Buddhist monks within the city of Nijgadh, south of Kathmandu, Nepal. A courtroom in southern Nepal has convicted the controversial religious chief referred to as “Buddha Boy” on expenses of sexual assault of a minor. | Photograph credit score: AP
A courtroom in southern Nepal has convicted a controversial religious chief referred to as “Buddha Boy” on expenses of sexual assault of a minor.
Ram Bahadur Bamjan, believed by some to be the reincarnation of the founding father of Buddhism, was arrested by police in January on expenses of sexual assault and suspicion of involvement within the disappearance of a minimum of 4 of his followers.
A Sarlahi District Court docket decide on June 24 discovered him responsible of sexually assaulting an underage lady and mentioned sentencing will probably be July 1. Prices associated to the disappearances of his followers are nonetheless pending trial.
He might face a minimum of 12 years in jail, however can nonetheless enchantment his conviction.
Many Nepalese imagine that Bamjan is the reincarnation of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in southwestern Nepal about 2,600 years in the past and was revered as Buddha. Buddhist students have been skeptical of Bamjan’s claims.
Bamjan was arrested at a home in a suburb of Kathmandu, the nation’s capital, after leaping two tales from a window in an try to flee.
Police mentioned they confiscated Nepalese notes price $227,000 and different foreign currency echange price $23,000 on the time of the arrest.
Bamjan turned well-known in southern Nepal in 2005, when he claimed to have the ability to meditate with out transferring for months whereas sitting below a tree with out meals or water.
His recognition has waned amid accusations of bodily and sexual assaults on his followers, however he nonetheless maintains camps in southern Nepal the place hundreds come to hope or stay.
