What does LAMA mean?

Definitions for LAMAˈlɑ mə

Here are all the possible meanings and translations of the word LAMA.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. lama(noun)

    a Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism

  2. Lama, genus Lama(noun)



  1. lama(Noun)

    A master of Tibetan Buddhism.

  2. Origin: From བླ་མ.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Lama(noun)

    see Llama

  2. Lama(noun)

    in Thibet, Mongolia, etc., a priest or monk of the belief called Lamaism

  3. Origin: [Tibet. blama (pronounced l"ma) a chief, a high priest.]


  1. Lama

    Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru. 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 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. 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, alongside the yidam and protector.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Lama

    n. an animal. [See Llama.]

  2. Lama

    lä′ma, n. a Buddhist priest in Tibet.—ns. Lä′maism, the religion prevailing in Tibet and Mongolia, being Buddhism corrupted by Sivaism, and by Shamanism or spirit-worship; Lä′maist; Lä′masery, a Tibetan monastery. [Tib.]

Suggested Resources

  1. LAMA

    What does LAMA stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the LAMA acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.


  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of LAMA in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of LAMA in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Sample Sentences & Example Usage

  1. Dalai Lama:

    I think the Chinese government is more concerned with the Dalai Lama institution than myself.

  2. Ashin Wirathu:

    I do not respect the Dalai Lama. He's a political power broker. The Dalai Lama is not honorable to me.

  3. Norbu Dunzhub:

    No matter what the Dalai Lama says or does, the central government's recognized rights toward reincarnation cannot be denied.

  4. Norbu Dunzhub:

    The reincarnated child Panchen Lama you mentioned is being educated, living a normal life, growing up healthily and does not wish to be disturbed.

  5. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang:

    China resolutely opposes any country, organization, body or individual giving any kind of platform to the 14th Dalai Lama to engage in anti-China splittist activities.

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Translations for LAMA

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