It's the last big party for Jalue Dorje before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills — thousands of kilometers from his home in suburban Minneapolis

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 the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights,

The youthful 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.

When Jalue Dorje was 2 years old, the Dalai Lama recognized him as the lama’s reincarnation. He just celebrated his 18th birthday and in a few months he will move to the Mindrolling Monastery in northern India after graduating from high school.

A U.S.-born Buddhist lama celebrated his 18th birthday with an elaborate enthronement ceremony. Hundreds attended the event at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. It's the last big party for

Jalue Dorje grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music in a Minneapolis suburb. After graduation, he’ll head to northern India, more than 7,200 miles from home.