Teenage Buddhist lama celebrates last birthday in the U.S. before joining monastery in the Himalayas

ISANTI, Minn. (AP) — The young Buddhist lama sat on a throne near an altar decorated with flowers, fruits and golden statues of the Buddha, watching the celebrations of his 18th birthday in silence, with a faint smile.

Jalue Dorje knew it would be the last big party before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills -- thousands of miles from his home in a Minneapolis suburb, where he grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music.

But this was not an ordinary coming-of-age celebration. It was an enthronement ceremony for an aspiring spiritual leader who from an early age was recognized by the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist leaders as a reincarnated lama.

From the stage, he saw it all: The young women in white long bearded masks who danced, jumping acrobatically and twirling colorful sticks to wish him luck in a tradition reserved for dignitaries. The banging of drums. The procession of hundreds – from children to elderly -- who lined up to bow to him and present him with a “khata” -- the white Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness.

From a throne reserved for lamas, he smelled the aroma of Tibetan dishes prepared by his mother over sleepless nights. He heard the monks with shaved heads, in maroon and gold robes like his own, chant sacred mantras. Behind them, his shaggy-haired high school football teammates sang “Happy Birthday” before he cut the first slice of cake.

One of his buddies gave him shaker bottles for hydrating during training at the gym; another, a gift card to eat at Chipotle Mexican Grill.

“I was in awe!” Dorje recalled later. “Usually, I’d be at the monk section looking up to whomever was celebrating. But that night it was for me.”

Since the Dalai Lama’s recognition, Dorje has spent much of his life training to become a monk, memorizing sacred scriptures, practicing calligraphy and learning the teachings of Buddha.

After graduation in 2025, he’ll head to northern India to join the Mindrolling Monastery, more than 7,200 miles (11,500 kilometers) from his home in Columbia Heights.

Following several years of contemplation and ascetism, he hopes to return to America to teach in the Minnesota Buddhist community. His goal is “to become a leader of peace,” following the example of the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Gandhi

“There’s going to be a lot of sacrifice involved,” Dorje said. But he’s not new to sacrifices.

He remembered all the early mornings reciting ancient prayers and memorizing Buddhist scriptures, often rewarded by his dad with Pokémon cards.

“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,” he said, “and one day it’s going to sprout.”

It all began with the process of identifying a lama, which is based on spiritual signs and visions. Dorje was about 4 months old when he was identified by Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, a venerated master of Tibetan Buddhism and leader of the Nyingma lineage. He was later confirmed by several lamas as the eighth Terchen Taksham Rinpoche — the first one was born in 1655.

After the Dalai Lama recognized him at age 2, Dorje’s parents took him to meet the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism when he visited Wisconsin in 2010.

The Dalai Lama cut a lock of Dorje’s hair in a ceremony and advised his parents to let their son stay in the U.S. to perfect his English before sending him to a monastery.

Dorje is fluent in English and Tibetan. He grew up reading the manga graphic novel series ″Buddha,” and is an avid sports fan. He roots for the Timberwolves in basketball, Real Madrid in soccer, and the Atlanta Falcons in football. He even keeps a rookie card of wide receiver Drake Londo pasted to the back of his phone, which he carried wrapped in his robes during his party.

On the football field, playing as a left guard, his teammates praised his positivity, often reminding them to have fun and keep losses in perspective.

“It’s someone to look up to,” said Griffin Hogg, 20, a former player who took Dorje under his wing. He said they learned from each other and credits Dorje with helping him find his spirituality. “I’m more of a relaxed person after getting to know him and understanding his own journey.”

While Dorje tries to never miss Monday Night Football, he’s always there to help with any event hosted by the local Tibetan community, one of the largest in the United States.

“He has one foot in the normal high school life. And he has one foot in this amazing Tibetan culture that we have in the state of Minnesota,” said Kate Thomas, one of his tutors and the teachings coordinator at Minneapolis’ Bodhicitta Sangha Heart of Enlightenment Institute.

“You can see that he’s comfortable playing a role of sitting on a throne, of participating and being honored as a respected person in his community, as a religious figure. And yet, as soon as he has the opportunity, he wants to go and hang out with his high school buddies,” she said. “That’s testimony to his flexibility, his openness of mind.”

For years, he has followed the same routine. He wakes up to recite sacred texts and then attends school, followed by football practice. He returns home for tutoring about Tibetan history and Buddhism. Then he might practice calligraphy or run on a treadmill while listening to BossMan Dlow, Rod Wave and other rappers.

Although he was officially enthroned in 2019 in India, an estimated 1,000 people gathered at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota for his recent ceremony.

“He unites us – Jalue is always here for us,” said Zenden Ugen, 21, a family friend and neighbor who performed Tibetan dances at the event.

“I wish him the best in life because being born and not being able to choose your life must be very hard,” Ugen said. “But he has a responsibility and him being able to take on that responsibility, I’m very inspired by him. I just hope he keeps being who he is.”

Dorje's proud uncle, Tashi Lama, saw him grow up and become a Buddhist master.

“He’s somebody who’s going to be a leader, who’s going to teach compassion and peace and love and harmony among living beings,” he said about his nephew, often referred to as “Rinpoche” -- a Tibetan word that means “precious one.”

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Associated Press video journalist Jessie Wardarski contributed to this report.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, talks with his high school friends near the end of his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, shows his Drake London, Atlanta Falcons, rookie card, which sits in the back of his phone, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota, on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Isanti, Minn. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Young dancers in bearded masks pose for a photo before performing a dance to wish luck to U.S.-born Buddhist lama Jalue Dorje during his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)

Kids play in a back room of the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota during the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Guests prepare to welcome U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, during his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)

High school friends present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with a “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

High school friends and fellow football players line up to present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Tenzin Lhasa holds her daughter, Dawoe Tenzin Arya, while in procession to present U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Monks bow and present “khata” to teenage Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, is presented with “khata,” the Tibetan ceremonial scarves that symbolize auspiciousness, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Hundreds attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, watches a traditional Tibetan performance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Friends, family, and community members attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, center, calls for his dad before making an entrance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Elders dress in traditional clothing to perform a ceremonial Tibetan dance to welcome U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, to his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Monks and high school students attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Guests and monks choose from a wide selection of homemade Tibetan dishes at the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony for U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Guests wait for the entrance of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

Friends, family, and community members attend the 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony of U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, right, waits in a private room before making an entrance at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony that hundreds attended in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski)

U.S.-born Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, right, and a member of the Minnesota Tibetan community bow and touch foreheads in a traditional Tibetan greeting at his 18th birthday and enthronement ceremony in Isanti, Minn., on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Luis Andres Henao)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Kremlin warned Monday that President Joe Biden’s decision to let Ukraine strike targets inside Russia with U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles adds “fuel to the fire” of the war and would escalate international tensions even higher.

Biden’s shift in policy added an uncertain, new factor to the conflict on the eve of the 1,000-day milestone since Russia began its full-scale invasion in 2022.

It also came as a Russian ballistic missile with cluster munitions struck a residential area of Sumy in northern Ukraine, killing 11 people, including two children, and injuring 84 others. Another missile barrage sparked apartment fires in the southern port of Odesa, killing at least 10 people and injuring 43, including a child, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said.

Washington is easing limits on what Ukraine can strike with its American-made Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMs, U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Sunday, after months of ruling out such a move over fears of escalating the conflict and bringing about a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

The Kremlin was swift in its condemnation.

“It is obvious that the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps and they have been talking about this, to continue adding fuel to the fire and provoking further escalation of tensions around this conflict,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

The scope of the new firing guidelines isn’t clear. But the change came after the U.S., South Korea and NATO said recently that North Korean troops are in Russia and apparently are being deployed to help Moscow drive Ukrainian troops out of Russia’s Kursk border region.

Russia also is slowly pushing Ukraine’s outnumbered army backward in the eastern Donetsk region. It has also conducted a devastating aerial campaign against civilian areas in Ukraine.

Peskov referred journalists to a statement made by President Vladimir Putin in September in which he said allowing Ukraine to target Russia would significantly raise the stakes.

It would change “the very nature of the conflict dramatically,” Putin said at the time. “This will mean that NATO countries — the United States and European countries — are at war with Russia.”

Peskov claimed that Western countries supplying longer-range weapons also provide targeting services to Kyiv. “This fundamentally changes the modality of their involvement in the conflict,” he said.

Putin warned in June that Moscow could provide longer-range weapons to others to strike Western targets if NATO allowed Ukraine to use its allies' arms to attack Russian territory. He also reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness to use nuclear weapons if it sees a threat to its sovereignty.

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office in about two months, has raised uncertainty about whether his administration would continue vital military support to Ukraine. He has also vowed to quickly end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a muted response to the approval that he and his government have been requesting of Biden for more than a year.

“Today, much is being said in the media about us receiving permission for the relevant actions,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Sunday.

“But strikes are not made with words. Such things are not announced. The missiles will speak for themselves,” he said.

The new policy's consequences on the battlefield are uncertain. ATACMS, which have a range of about 300 kilometers (190 miles), can reach targets far behind the about 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line in Ukraine, but they have relatively short range compared with other types of ballistic and cruise missiles.

The policy change came “too late to have a major strategic effect,” said Patrick Bury, a senior associate professor in security at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.

“The ultimate kind of impact it will have is to probably slow down the tempo of the Russian offensives which are now happening,” he said.

Ukraine could target enemy troops concentrated in Kursk or logistics hubs or command headquarters, Bury added.

On a political level, the move “is a boost to the Ukrainians and it gives them a window of opportunity to try and show that they are still viable and worth supporting” as Trump prepares to enter the White House, said Matthew Savill, director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute in London.

The cue for the policy change was the arrival in Russia of North Korean troops, according to Glib Voloskyi, an analyst at the CBA Initiatives Center, a Kyiv-based think tank.

“This is a signal the Biden administration is sending to North Korea and Russia, indicating that the decision to involve North Korean units has crossed a red line,” he told AP.

Russian lawmakers and state media bashed the West over what they called an escalatory step, and threatened a harsh response.

“Biden, apparently, decided to end his presidential term and go down in history as ‘Bloody Joe,’” senior lawmaker Leonid Slutsky told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Vladimir Dzhabarov, deputy head of the foreign affairs committee in the upper house of Russian parliament, called it "a very big step toward the start of World War III” and an attempt to “reduce the degree of freedom for Trump.”

Russian newspapers offered similar predictions of doom. “The madmen who are drawing NATO into a direct conflict with our country may soon be in great pain,” Rossiyskaya Gazeta said.

Some NATO allies welcomed the move.

President Andrzej Duda of Poland, which borders Ukraine, praised the decision as “much needed” and calling it a “very important, maybe even a breakthrough moment“ in the war.

“In the recent days, we have seen the decisive intensification of Russian attacks on Ukraine, above all, those missile attacks where civilian objects are attacked, where people are killed, ordinary Ukrainians,” Duda said.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna of Russian neighbor Estonia said easing restrictions on Ukraine was “a good thing.”

“We have been saying that from the beginning — that no restrictions must be put on the military support,” he said at a meeting of senior European Union diplomats in Brussels. “And we need to understand that situation is more serious (than) it was even maybe like a couple of months ago.”

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said he’s not “opening the champagne” yet as it is unclear exactly what restrictions have been lifted and whether Ukraine has enough of the U.S. weapons to make a difference.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian views, described Biden’s decision as “an unprecedented escalation” that would prolong the war.

Lorne Cook in Brussels, Danica Kirka in London, Hanna Arhirova in Kyiv and Karel Janicek in Prague, Czech Republic contributed.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Moscow-appointed head of Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, Yevgeny Balitsky during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, police officers evacuate an injured resident following a Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a police officer, right, evacuates an elderly resident following a Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters extinguish the fire following a Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters extinguish the fire following a Russian rocket attack that hit a multi-storey apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)