Dorje grew up learning the teachings of Buddha and how to become a monk while juggling a typical American lifestyle. In between memorizing sacred scriptures and practicing calligraphy he would play football and listen to music with friends. He was often rewarded with Pokemon cards from his dad for completing his lessons in Buddhism. He was required to wake up early every day to recite ancient prayers, the Associated Press reports.
“As a child, even on the weekend, you’re like: ‘Why don’t I get to sleep more? Why can’t I get up and watch cartoons like other kids.’ But my dad always told me that it’s like planting a seed,” Dorje said, “and one day it’s going to sprout.”
Dorje was just four months old when he was identified as a reincarnated lama by a Tibetan Buddhism master based on spiritual signs and visions. He was confirmed by several other lamas as the eighth Terchan Taksham Runpoche, the first one having been born in 1655. Dorje was then recognized by the Dalai Lama at two years old and had a chance to meet him when he visited Wisconsin in 2010, during which the Dalai Lama cut a piece of hair from the boy and recommended he grow up in the US to perfect his English before sending him to a monastery.
After Dorje graduates from high school in 2025, he will join the Mindrolling Monastery in northern India, over 7,200 miles from home. He wants to eventually return to the US to teach in the Minnesota Buddhist community as a "leader of peace," following the example of the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi.
At his 18th birthday party, Dorje sat in silence on a throne reserved only for lamas as hundreds lined up to bow to him and present him with traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarves and as monks chanted sacred mantras. He was sung happy birthday by his high school football teammates who gave him presents such as protein shakers and gift cards to Chipotle.
