Buddhist leader arrested in Nepal on sex assault charges

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – A Buddhist leader in Nepal known as “Buddha Boy” has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor and involvement in the disappearance of at least four of his followers from his camps.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan is believed by many Nepalese to be the reincarnation of Buddha and became well known in 2005 amid stories that he could meditate without moving for months, while sitting beneath a tree with no food or water.

The Associated Press reported that thousands of followers attend his camps in southern Nepal, where he has remained popular despite accusations of sexual and physical assault.

Police say that at the time of his arrest, they found Nepalese banknotes worth $227,000 and other foreign currencies amounting to $23,000.