Ram Bomjon the Buddha Boy
• Asian
When you read about Buddhism as it is practiced in places like Nepal you find that it is as superstition-ridden as a group of born-again snake handlers.
To be fair the Buddha boy doesn't claim to be a Buddha, just a lesser divinity.
And gullible faith as always proves very, very profitable:
A thriving market has grown in the once pristine forest, supplying pilgrims with everything from chewing tobacco and bicycle repairs to incense and sacred amulets. The ground is covered in litter.
A fence was built around Ram's tree to prevent pilgrims prodding him, then a second, and now a third is planned, as well as a bus park, leaving Ram at the centre of an ever growing circle of rubbish.
Prakash Lamsal, a businessman said: "Some people are selling 2,500 rupees [£20] worth of tea a day.
"These lamas [monks] are going to build mansions out of this. If I wasn't a bit embarrassed I'd take a van down there and set up a stall."
Pilgrims flock to see 'Buddha boy' said to have fasted six months
Comments
Posted by: Gabriela | January 12, 2006 2:02 PM
Posted by: RIno_lac | February 24, 2006 11:15 AM