Lama

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This article is about Tibetan Buddhist teachers. For other uses of the word, see Lama (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Llama.

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The current Dalai Lama.

Lama Dance, Dharamshala, H.P., India c. 1980.

Lama (Tibetan: བླ་མ་, Wylie: bla-ma; "chief" or "high priest"^[1]) is a title for a teacher of the Dhamma in Tibetan Buddhism. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru.^[2]

Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters^[3][4] or heads of monasteries.^[2] Today the title can be used as an honorific title conferred on a monk,^[2][4] nun or (in the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya schools) advanced tantric practitioner to designate a level of spiritual attainment and authority to teach, or may be part of a title such as Dalai Lama^[4] or Panchen Lama^[4] applied to a lineage of reincarnate lamas (Tulkus).

Perhaps due to misunderstandings by early western scholars attempting to understand Tibetan Buddhism, the term lama has historically been erroneously applied to Tibetan monks in general. Similarly, Tibetan Buddhism was referred to as "Lamaism"^[2] by early western scholars and travelers who perhaps did not understand that what they were witnessing was a form of Buddhism;^[2] they may also have been unaware of the distinction between Tibetan Buddhism and Bön. The term Lamaism is now considered by some to be derogatory.^[5]

In the Vajrayana path of Tibetan Buddhism, the lama is often the tantric spiritual guide, the guru to the aspiring Buddhist yogi or yogini. As such, the lama will then appear as one of the Three Roots (a variant of the Three Jewels), alongside the yidam and protector (who may be a dakini, dharmapala or other Buddhist deity figure).

See also

• Karmapa


• Sifu


• Sensei


• Rinpoche

References

1. 
   ^ "Online Etymology Dictionary". Etymonline.com. Retrieved 2013-07-17. 
   


2. 
   ^ ^abcde "lama" from Encyclopædia Britannica
   


3. 
   ^ Lama:definition at About.com
   


4. 
   ^ ^abcd Marcotte, Amanda (2000-01-14). "Who Are the Tibetan Lamas?". Slate.com. Retrieved 2013-07-17. 
   


5. 
   ^ Frank J. Korom (1997). Constructing Tibetan Culture: Contemporary Perspectives. World Heritage Press. ISBN 1-896064-12-4. 
   

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v t e Dalai Lamas
	Gendun Drup Gendun Gyatso Sonam Gyatso Yonten Gyatso Lozang Gyatso Tsangyang Gyatso Kelzang Gyatso Jamphel Gyatso Lungtok Gyatso Tsultrim Gyatso Khedrup Gyatso Trinley Gyatso Thubten Gyatso Tenzin Gyatso
List of Dalai Lamas Gelug Yellow Hat sect Ganden Phodrang Potala Palace Norbulingka

v t e Panchen Lamas
Khedrup Gelek Pelzang Sönam Choklang Ensapa Lobsang Döndrup Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen Lobsang Yeshe Lobsang Palden Yeshe Palden Tenpai Nyima Tenpai Wangchuk Thubten Chökyi Nyima Lobsang Trinley Lhündrub Chökyi Gyaltsen Disputed: Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (CTA) / Gyaincain Norbu (PRC)
List of Panchen Lamas Tashilhunpo Monastery

v t e Karmapas
Karma Kagyu - Black Crown - Tsurphu Monastery - Rumtek Monastery - Recognition of the Seventeenth Karmapa
Düsum Khyenpa Karma Pakshi Rangjung Dorje Rolpe Dorje Deshin Shekpa Thongwa Dönden Chödrak Gyatso Mikyö Dorje Wangchuk Dorje Chöying Dorje Yeshe Dorje Changchub Dorje Dudul Dorje Thekchok Dorje Khakyab Dorje Rangjung Rigpe Dorje Ogyen Trinley Dorje Trinley Thaye Dorje