Difference between revisions of "Lama"
m (Text replacement - "Category:Tibetan Buddhist Terms" to "{{TibetanTerminology}}") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:B5b.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:B5b.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Lama (Tibetan: བླ་མ་, Wylie: bla-ma; "chief" or "high priest") is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the [[Dharma]]. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term [[guru]] (see [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[Bön]]). | + | [[Lama]] ([[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|བླ་མ་}}, Wylie: bla-ma; "chief" or "high priest") is a title for a [[Tibetan]] [[teacher]] of the [[Dharma]]. The [[name]] is similar to the [[Sanskrit]] term [[guru]] (see [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[Bön]]). |
| − | Lama corresponds to Sanskrit guru but has a wider range of meanings in Tibetan. | + | [[Lama]] corresponds to [[Sanskrit]] [[guru]] but has a wider range of meanings in [[Tibetan]]. |
Can mean: | Can mean: | ||
| − | (1) personal religious teacher, especially of Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism); | + | (1) personal [[religious]] [[teacher]], especially of [[Vajrayana]] ([[Tantric Buddhism]]); |
| − | (2) head or leading figure within a spiritual community (gompa); | + | (2) {{Wiki|head}} or leading figure within a [[spiritual]] community ([[gompa]]); |
| − | (3) a properly qualified performer of Tantric ritual. Note that the roles of lama and MONK are different. Most monks are not lamas, and lamas are not necessarily monks. | + | (3) a properly qualified performer of [[Tantric]] [[ritual]]. Note that the roles of [[lama]] and MONK are different. Most [[monks]] are not [[lamas]], and [[lamas]] are not necessarily [[monks]]. |
| − | Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries. Today the title can be used as an honorific title conferred on a monk, 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]] or [[Panchen Lama]] applied to a lineage of reincarnate lamas ([[Tulku]]s). | + | Historically, the term was used for venerated [[spiritual]] [[masters]] or heads of [[monasteries]]. Today the title can be used as an honorific title conferred on a [[monk]], [[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]] or [[Panchen Lama]] applied to a [[lineage]] of [[reincarnate lamas]] ([[Tulku]]s). |
| − | 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 by early western scholars and travelers who perhaps did not understand that what they were witnessing was a form of [[Buddhism]]; 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. | + | Perhaps due to misunderstandings by early {{Wiki|western}} [[scholars]] attempting to understand [[Tibetan Buddhism]], the term [[Lama]] has historically been erroneously applied to [[Tibetan]] [[monks]] in {{Wiki|general}}. Similarly, [[Tibetan Buddhism]] was referred to as [[Lamaism]] by early {{Wiki|western}} [[scholars]] and travelers who perhaps did not understand that what they were witnessing was a [[form]] of [[Buddhism]]; 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. |
| − | 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). | + | 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). |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
Revision as of 17:34, 23 September 2013
Lama (Tibetan: བླ་མ་, Wylie: bla-ma; "chief" or "high priest") is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru (see Tibetan Buddhism and Bön).
Lama corresponds to Sanskrit guru but has a wider range of meanings in Tibetan.
Can mean:
(1) personal religious teacher, especially of Vajrayana (Tantric Buddhism);
(2) head or leading figure within a spiritual community (gompa);
(3) a properly qualified performer of Tantric ritual. Note that the roles of lama and MONK are different. Most monks are not lamas, and lamas are not necessarily monks.
Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries. Today the title can be used as an honorific title conferred on a monk, 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 or Panchen Lama 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 by early western scholars and travelers who perhaps did not understand that what they were witnessing was a form of Buddhism; 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.
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).
