Meditating boy has drunk no water for six months

Scientists in Nepal are planning to examine claims by a 15-year-old boy, hailed by pilgrims from across the country as a modern-day Buddha, that he has been meditating without drinking any water for six months.

Ram Bahadur Bamjan sits cross-legged, in the pose of a Buddhist ascetic, beneath a peepul tree in the village of Ratanapuri south of Kathmandu.

His family and devotees say he has not moved from the spot since he sat down to meditate six months ago.

They say he eats and drinks nothing, and does not even relieve himself.

His hair has grown long and shaggy and hangs down over his eyes.

He has only spoken rarely since he began meditating.

The incident that sealed his fame in Nepal came when a poisonous snake bit him several weeks ago.

After being hidden behind a curtain by his supporters for five days, it is claimed he came out and told onlookers: "A snake bit me but I do not need treatment.

I need six years of deep meditation."He is following in the footsteps of the Buddha, who was born Siddharta Gautam in Nepal in 560 BC.

He meditated and fasted under a tree until he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, founding the Buddhist religion.

The 15-year-old has said that he will meditate and fast for six years, until he achieves enlightenment.

But he has also told his followers that he is not a Buddha but a rinpoche, a lesser degree of holiness.

"I don't have the Buddha's energy," he said.

Now scientists want to investigate the claims that the boy is surviving without drinking water.

Most people can survive without food for prolonged periods of time, drawing on their bodies' stores of fat.

But it is not believed possible to survive without water.

Some of the boy's devotees say that at first he drank a milk-like substance from the roots of the tree, but more recently has done without any water.

Claims by holy men to have unusual powers are common in South Asia, but they are rarely subjected to scientific scrutiny.

But Bamjan has become so famous that people are asking for proof.

A team from the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology is to investigate.

They will have to observe the boy without touching him in order to avoid breaking his meditation.

Their study could prove controversial.

A lucrative business has grown up around the meditating boy.

Photographs of him are on sale at the shrine that has sprung up in honour of him.

According to the local authorities, some 500,000 Nepali rupees (NZ$9834) have been deposited in the bank by his devotees.

Local people have formed a committee to manage the offerings made by pilgrims.

As well as donations, private vendors are said to be making big profits by selling incense sticks and cups of tea to those who come to visit the shrine.

Although the boy's devotees say he fasts and meditates both day and night, no one has seen him at night.

After dark, a screen is put up around him.

The same screen was put up after he was bitten by the snake.

The boy's parents say they have no more understanding than anyone else what is really going on with their son.

His mother says she fainted when she heard he had started meditating.

She says she visits him but he will not talk even to her.

But those hoping that the scientists can put paid to the controversy for good may be disappointed- their observations will be carried out behind the same screen that hides Bamjan from onlookers at night.

- INDEPENDENT