On paper, Zhabdrung Rinpoche is like any other man of 18: he studies, debates, loves music, plays basketball, microblogs, and learns English. He will not be seen at nightclubs, however, nor do his aspirations feature the trappings of an individualistic lifestyle, such as super cars or great riches. His motivation in life is to deliver all living creatures from torment.
Zhabdrung Rinpoche is a Living Buddha.
SOUL BOY, SOLE DUTY
Born on June 28, 1997, in Lhari County, Nagqu Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, Zhabdrung Rinpoche is the son of a Tibetan doctor and a teacher. He was known as Sonam Dondrup until 2001.
He was identified as the reincarnation of the 22nd Zhabdrung Living Buddha when he was three years old and lived under the guidance of khenpos (senior monks) from this age. He remains in contact with his parents and still calls them two or three times a week.
His formative years were average, and he attended kindergarten and primary school. When he was around 12, he realized he was not like his peers.
"My responsibility is heavier than a mountain," he said. "Being a living buddha, I should offer salvation to sentient beings."
Tibetan Buddhism has four main schools -- Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Geluk. Zhabdrung Rinpoche belongs to Taklung Kagyu, a sub-school of Kagyu.
The Kagyu School introduced the reincarnation ritual in the 13th Century. The Geluk School adopted it in mid-16th Century. Panchen and Dalai are lineage disciples of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Geluk School.
Today reincarnation is the most widely accepted inheritance right among various schools in Tibet. There are currently 358 Living Buddhas in Tibet.
Taklung Kagyu followers are harsh disciplinarians. After graduating from primary school, Zhabdrung Rinpoche began his full-time religious education under Khenpo Phuntsog Choying.
In 2011, Zhabdrung Rinpoche enrolled into to the then-newly opened Tibet College of Buddhism, Lhasa. He was the only Living Buddha in the Vajrayana class.
Traditionally, Tibetan monks undertake advanced study in three main monasteries -- Sera, Ganden, and Drepung -- all located in Lhasa. Zhabdrung Rinpoche continued his studies at Drepung Monastery.
His traditional seat is Taklung Monastery in Lhundrup County, about 87 miles northeast of Lhasa. Built in 1180, it is the ancestral temple of Taklung Kagyu and home to around 80 monks.
"I seldom go back since I am so busy with my studies," Zhabdrung Rinpoche explained.
There used to be three Living Buddhas in Taklung Monastery, but Zhabdrung Rinpoche is the only one remaining after one moved overseas and the other died in 2006.
The 835-year-old temple is undergoing renovation and expansion. Traditionally a Living Buddha is in charge of temple affairs. Zhabdrung Rinpoche is no exception, even though he was only 15 when the project broke ground.
It was initially planned that a summer palace would be built for the Living Buddha, but the project has since expanded to include a Buddhist academy, new dorms for monks, and a grand hall. The expansion is being supported by the local government, which split the 8 million yuan (about 1.25 million U.S. dollars) bill with the monastery.
"I hope it will provide a place for monks to study Buddhism scriptures and learn about Tibet," the Living Buddha explained. "It will also offer music, poetry, and English lessons."
