11-year-old Tibetan boy Lozang Dorje was recognized as the seventh Dechöe Rinpoche when he was six-years-old. In Tibet, practicing Buddhism is an accomplishment that can fulfill one’s aspirations, and those who are reincarnated masters are respectfully referred to as “chöe yi gu”, which means “reincarnation” or “incarnation”. The direct translation of “chöe yi gu” into Chinese is “living Buddha” (rinpoche). The first task after a “living Buddha” has passed away is to find the child into which the spirit has reincarnated.

Lozang Dorje is currently in the young rinpoche class at the Tibet Buddhism College, learning together with three other young rinpoches: 11-year-old Tanggya Rinpoche, 12-year-old Truje Rinpoche, and 16-year-old Tsetsang Rinpoche. From left to right: Tanggya Rinpoche, Truje Rinpoche, Dechöe Rinpoche, and Tsetsang Rinpoche.

Palo Rinpoche is the teacher for these young rinpoches, and teachers in the Buddhism College are called dharma teachers. Palo Rinpoche is responsible for their Chinese language class, English language class, and Tibetan calligraphy class. He has been these young rinpoches’ dharma teacher since the first day they entered the Buddhism College four years ago. Palo Rinpoche evaluates his students as “having studied to become more spiritual, a bit quicker, and are very hardworking. They study very well."

Palo Rinpoche (center) is the teacher for the young rinpoches. What are the differences between the lives of young rinpoches and other children at their age? What do they do everyday?

The young rinpoches in the Buddhism College study the various scriptures of the five major sects of Tibetan Buddhism, general religion knowledge, and Tibetan language. Aside from these, they also study the same nine-year compulsory primary and middle school curriculum as other children their age: Chinese literature and language, mathematics, English… no less than the others. Therefore, they must spend even more time studying than their contemporaries. The picture shows the house supervisor in front of the classroom door overseeing the young rinpoches'class.

Saturday is the happiest day for the young rinpoches, because they only have to attend one Chinese language class in the morning, and then they can start their weekend. They can play basketball, soccer, and can even play games on their cellphones. Playing basketball is their favorite pastime.

It is clear that these young rinpoches are very interested in basketball as they talk of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson. In addition to basketball, they also love playing games on their phones. Dechöe Rinpoche likes car racing, while Tsetsang Rinpoche likes the Three Kingdoms.

Dechöe Rinpoche is one of the great Tibetan tulkus, belonging to the higher level of reincarnated rinpoches in Tibetan Buddhism and being the rinpoche of six monasteries, therefore the Seventh Dechöe Rinpoche Dechöe Jamyang Shiro Bangden’s schoolwork is even heavier than the other young rinpoches’. The picture shows Dechöe Rinpoche reciting scripture.

During the summer vacation, while his classmates in the young rinpoche class will all return home, Dechöe Rinpoche must go to Drepung Monastery, one of the three major monasteries in Lhasa, to continue his studies. His daily life consists of chanting scriptures repeatedly and attending class. The picture shows Dechöe Rinpoche reciting scripture.

Before being confirmed as a reincarnated rinpoche, Dechöe Rinpoche was called Lozang Dorje. Little Lozang’s family is a normal, local family, raising a dozen cows and planting a few acres of land. His grandmother and mother farm at home, while his father works at a nearby construction site. He also has an older sister, Tsering Pedron, who is about to become a high school senior. Tsering Pedron’s greatest wish is to be able to test into a major undergraduate university in Beijing or Chengdu.

However, Tsering Pedron does not think she will be able to achieve her dream. Since her younger brother was recognized as a reincarnated rinpoche at age six, she became the only child at home. The picture shows Dechöe Rinpoche with his grandmother, home supervisor, and older sister.