KATHMANDU, Nepal — At a monastery nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, an American Buddhist lama is blessing thousands of people. One by one, he places a ritual vase and a peacock feather on the bowed heads of devotees, sprinkling holy water for protection, purification, and wisdom. He pauses to smile at children who gaze at him with curiosity, reverence, and admiration. He works to keep pace with the others — who, like him, are among the select few allowed to perform the final blessing ritual.
According to Kyodo News, the teenager was born in the United States, recognized as a tulku (living Buddha), and is now studying at a monastery in the Himalayan foothills of Nepal. He participates in religious ceremonies, studies scriptures, and practices meditation under the guidance of masters. Thousands of devotees from around the world flock to the monastery to receive his blessings, considering it a rare opportunity to connect with spirituality.
