AMERICAN SCHOOLBOY NAMED HEAD OF BUDDHIST SECT

US-born Jigme Wangchuk, 11, has been made the head of a Buddhist sect in India after he was recognised as the reincarnation of high-ranking lama Galwa Lorepa who died more than 750 years ago.

Wangchuk will now be known as His Holiness the Second Galwa Lorepa and high priest of the Drukpa Sangag Choeling Monastery.

Wangchuk, who has followers in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, told the Austrian Times: "I will miss my school days but I am happy in my new role."

"I will have my ten-year-old sister staying here in Darjeeling as well. Hopefully, I will not miss Boston."

The the first Galwa Lorepa died in 1250 in Tibet.