lama
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of lama
1645–55; < Tibetan lama (spelling bla ma ) literally, superior one (in Tibetan applied only to monks of high rank)
Explanation
In Buddhism, a lama is a spiritual leader or teacher. The most famous lama in the world is the Dalai Lama. Some lamas, like the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader in one school of Tibetan Buddhism, are born into their status. In fact, each Dalai Lama is believed to be a reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama. Most lamas earn the title through a lifetime of teaching and spiritual work. The Tibetan root is blama, "high priest" or "guru." And while you might argue that a large, four-legged animal can be enlightened, don't confuse lama with llama.
Vocabulary lists containing lama
East Asia - Middle School
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East Asia - Introductory
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East Asia - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Nollman mainly plays slide guitar for whale species, but has worked with a wide range of other musicians, including a grammy-winning oboe player, violinists, percussionists, a chanting Tibetian lama and more.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2024
Fast-forward and The Times would chronicle the visit of a Tibetan lama reincarnate in 1995, the comings and goings of various rides, employee protests, the park’s pandemic closure, and price hikes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
According to Buddhist belief, the current Dalai Lama is a reincarnation of a past lama who decided to be reborn again to continue his important work, instead of moving on from the wheel of life.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2021
The process of identifying a lama is based on spiritual signs and visions.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2021
Unable to grasp the potential benefits of the inflatable chamber and terrified of it, Ngawang asked that a Buddhist lama be summoned.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
In her story, Trifonova wrote that three Buddhist lamas stood up and began to walk around the coffins — as did the relatives.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2022
He accumulated hundreds of hours of Buddhist chants, notably the chordal chanting of lamas and monks at the Gyuto Tantric University and the Drukpa Kagyu rituals performed at the Khampagar Monastery, both in Tibet.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2017
He was surprised to learn that lamas in a nearby monastery had a story of a great flood.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 15, 2012
Tibet under Chinese rule, an intriging Chinese inspector cum gulag survivor, along with enchanting lamas and the hidden world of Tibetan Buddhism.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 1, 2011
The white-robed lamas danced into the center of the arena; whirled about, making strange signs; swayed to the monotonous boom-booming of the drums.
From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Hervey, Harry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
