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Football Across Minnesota: Behind the face mask, a spiritual leader

By Chip Scoggins, the Minnesota Star Tribune, 12/06/24, 12:45PM CST

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The strong young man blocking for his fellow St. Anthony Village Huskies this fall was Jalue Dorjee, who deftly balances life as a fun-loving teenager and a reincarnated Buddhist lama recognized around the world.

Jalue Dorjee, believed by many Tibetan Buddhists to be a reincarnated guru, is greeted by a monk as friends and community members line up to offer Dorjee “khata” a traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf, during a celebration for Dorjee’s enthronement and 18th birthday party last month at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com (Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A SPECIAL FOOTBALL ACROSS MINNESOTA STORY

 

The offensive lineman wearing No. 70 for St. Anthony Village High pumped his fist and let loose an exuberant yell after a successful running play in a playoff game.

Jalue Dorjee is a teenager who plays football, listens to rap music, plays video games and drives a 2012 Toyota Camry with 100,000 miles on it. A basketball hoop sits at the end of his driveway.

He’s also an ascending spiritual leader, recognized by Tibetan Buddhists around the world as the eighth reincarnation of a lama born almost 400 years ago. When the Dalai Lama and other leaders made this declaration 15 years ago, young Dorjee became known as the first Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation lama born in the United States.

For more on Dorjee and how he handles being "a regular guy" and a "Rinpoche," click here to read this story on startribune.com.

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