skullaria wrote:

Decius wrote:

A meditating teenage boy in south-central Nepal is drawing the attention of scientists after attracting huge crowds in the past six months and earning himself the name Buddha-reincarnate.

I've been following this story too - for about a month now. So far I have not found a thing where they have been able to factually refute it. This has been in the news on and off since May, with a lot of attention at the end of November. At least one team of scientists have been there this month, but all they said was that he was alive, but weak, and they asked for more scientists. Interesting story. His name is Ram Banjan. Sometimes it is easier to search google by his name than Buddha Boy. That doesn't seem to get as many hits.

I have also been following this story. It strikes me as paradoxical and highly questionable that scientists would be asked to confirm whether or not Buddha Boy is a reincarnation of Buddha. Even if it is (stensibly)confirmed that he has achieved some remarkable physical feats, does this serve as irrefutable proof of anything other than the feat itself. It would be very easy to attribute divinity or some other special dimension to this person due to one's desire for a messiah or for someone who will act as a savior.
It is also interesting that, according to some of the news reports that i have read, he claims to be at the level of a Rinpoche and that after 6 years he will have the 'energy' of the Buddha. Since when has enlightenment come in gradations? If only the Buddha and the many others who have realized enlightenment could have foretold how much time it would take; If only I could foretell such a thing.
Even if this person is enlightened or will soon be, the fact that each person must ultimately follow their own path to realization does not change.

RE: BBC NEWS | South Asia | Scientists to check Nepal Buddha boy