Jalue Dorje, a teenage Buddhist lama recognized by the Dalai Lama, recently blessed thousands at a monastery in the Himalayan foothills. Just six months earlier, he was pulling all-nighters playing Madden NFL on his Xbox at his home in a Minneapolis suburb. Both worlds are home to Dorje, who grew up a typical American teen loving rap music, video games, and football, while also being an aspiring spiritual leader.
From Suburb to Monastery
Now 19, Dorje graduated high school last year and moved to northern India to join the Mindrolling Monastery, about 7,200 miles from his home in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Recently, he traveled to Nepal to meet his parents and attend sacred rituals at Shechen Monastery, one of Tibetan Buddhism's most sacred sites near the Boudhanath stupa. There, he exchanged his usual hoodies and sweatpants for maroon and golden monastic robes, though he still wore white Crocs decorated with Simpsons Jibbitz charms.
Daily Life in Kathmandu
Each morning, Dorje awoke at dawn for prayers, then walked through crowded Kathmandu streets past the Boudhanath stupa. His days are a blend of spiritual discipline and modern influences, a reflection of his unique upbringing.
Recognition as a Reincarnated Lama
Dorje was recognized as the eighth Terchen Taksham Rinpoche at just four months old by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, later confirmed by several lamas. The Dalai Lama met him in 2010, cutting a lock of his hair and advising his parents to let him perfect his English in the U.S. before entering a monastery. As a child, Dorje often questioned why he couldn't sleep late or watch cartoons like other kids, but his father assured him that the training would one day pay off.
Balancing School and Spirituality
Fluent in English and Tibetan, Dorje excelled in public school. He kept a photo of the Dalai Lama above his DVD collections of The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy, alongside the manga series Buddha. His father rewarded him with Pokémon cards for memorizing Buddhist scriptures, and he collected hundreds, sometimes sneaking them into his robes at ceremonies.
Football and Sacred Scriptures
Every morning, Dorje recited sacred texts, then attended school and football practice. Evenings were for tutoring in Tibetan history and Buddhism, followed by calligraphy or listening to rappers. He drove around listening to Taylor Swift after getting his license. An avid sports fan, he roots for the Atlanta Hawks, Real Madrid, and Atlanta Falcons. On the football field, he reminded teammates to have fun and keep losses in perspective, though he shed tears after his final high school game, knowing it was likely his last.
Award-Winning Writer
Dorje also loves writing and journalism. In high school, he wrote an award-winning story about Tibet for the student newspaper. He often helped represent the local Tibetan community at events. For his 18th birthday, over 1,000 people gathered at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota for a party before he left for India.
Monastic College in the Himalayas
Dorje packed light for his new life: headphones, laptop, a Fantasy Football magazine, and a book on Tantric Buddhism. His parents flew with him to New Delhi, then drove to Dehradun near the Himalayan foothills, akin to a college drop-off. They bought him a larger bed, painted his monastic room, and erected a shrine. He now studies Buddhist philosophy, calligraphy, and chanting, while his friends attend U.S. colleges.
Staying Connected
Despite the 10-hour time difference, Dorje stays in touch with friends via texts and WhatsApp. During time off, he builds Legos, plays FIFA at an arcade, and watches Marvel films and NBA/NFL games on his laptop. He was especially excited about the Super Bowl halftime show featuring Bad Bunny. Adjusting to ascetic life, he eats rice and lentils and washes his clothes by hand, but gets along with monks from across Asia, discussing spirituality, pop culture, and sports.
The Path Ahead
After years of contemplation and asceticism, Dorje hopes to return to America to teach in Minnesota's Buddhist community. His goal is to become a leader of peace, following Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama. Though the path began soon after his birth, he feels ready, saying, "This is just the beginning."
