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Essential question
Why do many world religions have spiritual leaders?Jalue Dorje is not your everyday nine-year-old Minnesota boy. While Dorje enjoys soccer, swimming and Pokemon, he is believed to be the reincarnation of an eminent Buddhist spiritual leader who died nine years ago.
Reincarnation is a central belief of the Buddhist religion. When spiritual leaders known as lamas die, there’s an elaborate process to identify the child. Dorje was identified as a reincarnation of Takshem Karma Yongdu Choekyi Nima, an eminent senior lama and confirmed by the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists worldwide.
Dorje’s father begins the daily coaching routine with Tibetan Buddhist mantras, explaining their meaning to his son.
“How to help, how your body works, to be nice, to … have peace,” Dorje said, explaining their basic themes.
After his studies are complete in the U.S., Dorje will live in India for 10 years. He will then return to Minnesota where he will participate in religious ceremonies.
In the past, Dorje and other lamas-in-training traditionally would have moved to a monastery in Tibet or, more recently, to India where the Dalai Lama and thousands of followers have lived in exile since 1959. However, the Dalai Lama suggested that Dorje’s monastic education be deferred for a few more years so that he has a good balance of the traditional Buddhism belief system with that of the modern world.
“We Buddhists should be 21st century Buddhists,” the Dalai Lama said.
Key terms
reincarnation — the belief that people are born again with a different body after death lama — a Buddhist priest of Tibet or Mongolia Dalai Lama — the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism mantra — a sound or phrase that is repeated by a person who is meditating or prayingWarm up questions ( before watching the video)
- What do you know about Buddhism?
- Where is Tibet?
- What does it mean for a person to reincarnated?
- What characteristics do you think a religious leader should have?
Cr itical thinking questions ( after watching the video)
- Why is it necessary for Jalue Dorje to receive training in Buddhist teachings?
- Do you think it was a good idea for Dorje to stay in his native Minnesota, experiencing modern western life, while he immerses himself in Buddhist studies? Why or why not?
- How might this affect the United States?
- Do you think it is fair to expect a young boy to take on the study and responsibility of a future religious leader? Explain.
