Lamaism

American  

[lah-muh-iz-uhm] / ˈlɑ məˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia, a Mahayana form including non-Buddhist Indian elements as well as elements of the preexisting Bön shamanism.

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Lamaism British  

/ ˈlɑːməˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the Mahayana form of Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia See also Dalai Lama

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Lamaistic
  adjective
• Lamaist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Lamaism

First recorded in 1810–20; lama + -ism

Example Sentences

In the 15th Century, through a shift in its priesthood which brought in a "Yellow" or reformed sect, Lamaism acquired a theocratic and infallible rule, divided between two men who both were Buddhas incarnate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lamaism, faith of 3,000,000 Tibetans, 7,000,000 Mongols and other races in Central Asia, is a form of Buddhism, brought from India through the snow-swept passes of the Himalayas in the 7th Century.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is the spiritual leader of Lamaism, as the Dalai is the temporal head.

From Time Magazine Archive

Tibet is one of the world's last theocracies: its culture centres about its religion, Lamaism, a form of Buddhism which was brought up from India through the Himalayan passes in the 7th Century.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fact is that Lamaism accepted the whole host of Indian Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, with additions of its own.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 by Eliot, Charles, Sir