In the Himalayan foothills, Jalue Dorje—an American teen once pulling all-nighters on Madden NFL—now performs Tibetan Buddhist blessings at monasteries in India and Nepal. Recognized as a reincarnated lama after signs and confirmations, the 19-year-old trains at Mindrolling Monastery and recently met his parents in Kathmandu to attend rituals at Shechen Monastery. Even as monastic robes replace hoodies, Dorje keeps a pop-culture streak, quoting Drake and wearing Crocs decorated with playful charms.
Tibetans living outside China are casting ballots to elect their government-in-exile, a process overseen by the Central Tibetan Administration in India. The vote is especially consequential as many prepare for life after the Dalai Lama. With participants in 27 countries, the election also draws sharp condemnation from China, heightening pressure on the exiled community.
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A bipartisan group of US lawmakers visited the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, prompting sharp criticism from China. Beijing warned Washington to acknowledge what it calls the Dalai Lama’s separatist role, while the US move is framed as support for Tibetan rights amid worsening US-China tensions. The Dalai Lama, in exile since 1959, continues to pursue meaningful autonomy for Tibet through dialogue.
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