Jalue Dorje: From America to a Buddhist Monk

May 15, 2026, 09:10
AsiaCulture

Introduction

Jalue Dorje is 19 years old. He lived in Minnesota, USA. Now he lives in India as a Buddhist monk.

Main Body

When Jalue was a baby, teachers said he was a special leader. The Dalai Lama also said this. Jalue went to a normal school in America. He learned English and read books. He also studied Buddhist laws and writing. In high school, Jalue did two different things. He played American football and played video games. But he also woke up early to pray and study Tibetan history. He liked both American and Tibetan life. Now, Jalue lives in a monastery in India. He eats simple food like rice and lentils. He works hard and studies with other young monks. He also visited special caves to show he is a leader.

Conclusion

Jalue wants to go back to Minnesota one day. He wants to be a teacher at a Buddhist center there.

Learning

πŸ•’ Now vs. Then

Look at how we talk about the past (finished) and the present (now).

The Past (Added -ed)

  • live β†’ lived
  • learn β†’ learned
  • visit β†’ visited

The Present (Basic form)

  • live β†’ lives
  • eat β†’ eats
  • work β†’ works

πŸ’‘ Simple Rule: When Jalue was in America, we use -ed. Now that he is in India, we use the -s form because he is one person.

Vocabulary Learning

age (n.)
the number of years a person has lived
Example:Jalue's age is 19 years old.
lived (v.)
to have lived in a place
Example:He lived in Minnesota before moving to India.
baby (n.)
a very young child
Example:When Jalue was a baby, teachers called him a special leader.
teachers (n.)
people who teach
Example:Teachers said he was a special leader.
special (adj.)
different from ordinary; unique
Example:He was considered a special leader.
leader (n.)
a person who leads or directs others
Example:He is a leader of young monks.
school (n.)
a place where people learn
Example:He went to a normal school in America.
learned (v.)
to have gained knowledge
Example:He learned English and read books.
English (adj.)
language spoken in England
Example:He learned English at school.
books (n.)
written works with pages
Example:He read many books.
high school (n.)
secondary school for teenagers
Example:In high school, he played football and video games.
football (n.)
a sport played with a ball
Example:He played American football.
early (adj.)
before the usual time
Example:He woke up early to pray.
pray (v.)
to speak to a god
Example:He woke up early to pray.
history (n.)
study of past events
Example:He studied Tibetan history.
life (n.)
existence of a person
Example:He liked both American and Tibetan life.
monastery (n.)
a building where monks live
Example:He lives in a monastery in India.
rice (n.)
a grain used as food
Example:He eats rice and lentils.
lentils (n.)
small beans used as food
Example:He eats rice and lentils.
hard (adj.)
difficult
Example:He works hard.
young (adj.)
not old
Example:He studies with other young monks.
caves (n.)
underground chambers
Example:He visited special caves.
back (adv.)
to return to a place
Example:He wants to go back to Minnesota.
teacher (n.)
a person who teaches
Example:He wants to be a teacher at a Buddhist center.