Rinpoche Explained
Rinpoche, also spelled Rimpoche, is an honorific term used in the Tibetan language. It literally means "precious one", and may refer to a person, place, or thing—like the words "gem" or "jewel" (Sanskrit: Ratna).[1]
The word consists of rin (value), po (nominalizing suffix) and chen (big).
The word is used in the context of Tibetan Buddhism as a way of showing respect when addressing those recognized as reincarnated, older, respected, notable, learned and/or an accomplished Lamas or teachers of the Dharma.[2] It is also used as an honorific for abbots of Buddhist monasteries.
See also
- Rinpoches, a partial list of a few spiritual teachers of past and present commonly addressed as Rinpoche.
- Tulku, someone who is recognized as the rebirth of a previous practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.
- Mount Kailash is often called in the Tibetan language Gang Rinpoche.
External links
Notes and References
- Shakspo . Nawang Tsering . 1999 . The Role of Incarnate Lamas in Buddhist Tradition: A Brief Survey of Bakula Rinpoche's Previous Incarnations . The Tibet Journal . 24 . 3 . 38–47 . 43300761 . 0970-5368.
- Yu . Chun-Fang . March 2000 . The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche: The Trials of Telo Rinpoche: A Stranger in My Native Land:The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche.;The Trials of Telo Rinpoche.;A Stranger in My Native Land. . American Anthropologist . en . 102 . 1 . 158–159 . 10.1525/aa.2000.102.1.158 . 0002-7294.
