Jalue Dorje knew it would be the last big party before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills -- thousands of miles from his home in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights, where he grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music.

Dorje currently lives in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and the northern India monastery, located in the Himalayan foothills, is more than 7,200 miles away from his home, according to The Associated Press.

The youthful Buddhist lama sat on a throne near an altar decorated with flowers, fruits and golden statues of the Buddha, watching the celebrations of his 18th birthday in silence, with a faint smile.

A U.S.-born Buddhist lama celebrated his 18th birthday with an elaborate enthronement ceremony. Hundreds attended the event at the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota. It's the last big party for

It's the last big party for Jalue Dorje before he joins a monastery in the Himalayan foothills — thousands of kilometers from his home in suburban Minneapolis

Jalue Dorje grew up like a typical American teen playing football and listening to rap music in a Minneapolis suburb. After graduation, he’ll head to northern India, more than 7,200 miles from home.