lama

American  

[lah-muh] / ˈlɑ mə /

noun

• lamas
  plural

1. a priest or monk in Lamaism.

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lama British  

/ ˈlɑːmə /

noun

1. a priest or monk of Lamaism

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lama Cultural  

1. In the Buddhism of Tibet, a monk or priest. The chief of the lamas is the Dalai Lama.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lamas
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of lama

1645–55; < Tibetan lama (spelling bla ma ) literally, superior one (in Tibetan applied only to monks of high rank)

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lama lamas

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 young lama would lose with team Kyrie Irving and later explain that team Lebron James “is practically unbeatable.”

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2021

Around my neck I wore a Xi-stone—a sacred Buddhist amulet blessed by the lama from the Pangboche monastery—that Doug had given me early on in the expedition.

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 was later confirmed by several other lamas as the eighth Terchen Taksham Rinpoche — the first one of whom was born under the name Taksham Nüden Dorje in 1655.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 1, 2021

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

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

A large room, this, and occupied by several lamas who sat at pearl-inlaid tables—chamberlains of the Yellow Pontiff.

From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Harry Hervey

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