Nepalese 'Buddha Boy' reappears

KATHMANDU, Nepal, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A teenager in Nepal known as "Buddha Boy" has re-emerged, saying he ate nothing but herbs during the nine months he was missing.

Ram Bahadur Bomjan, 17, who is believed by his followers to be an incarnation of the Buddha who lived more than 2,500 years ago in Nepal, said he had lived for nine months on herbs alone, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Bomjan was reportedly thinner than he was when he was last seen several months ago and was carrying a sword when he reappeared.

"Even Buddha was forced to arrange for his security himself," local media quoted him as saying.

The boy attracted international attention this year when he meditated for several months without food. His followers claim he is immune to fire and snakebites but they have not allowed him to be examined by scientists to verify the claims.