Rinpoche, also spelled Rimpoche (), is an honorific term used in the
Tibetan language Tibetan language may refer to:
* Lhasa Tibetan or Standard Tibetan, the most widely used spoken dialect
* Classical Tibetan, the classical language used also as a contemporary written standard
* Any of the other Tibetic languages
See also
* Ol ...
. It literally means "precious one", and may refer to a person, place, or thing—like the words "gem" or "jewel" (
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
: ''
Ratna
Ratna (रत्न) (also Rathna or Rathan) is a Sanskrit term for " jewel". It is also a popular female Hindu name.
Ratna may refer to:
People
* Ratna, Queen Mother of Nepal (born 1928), Queen Consort of Nepal from 1955 to 1972
* Ratna Fa ...
'').
The word consists of ''rin'' (value), ''po'' (nominalizing suffix) and ''chen'' (big).
The word is used in the context of
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, Bhutan and Mongolia. It also has a sizable number of adherents in the areas surrounding the Himalayas, including the Indian regions of Ladakh, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, D ...
as a way of showing respect when addressing those recognized as
reincarnated, older, respected, notable, learned and/or an accomplished
Lama
Lama () is a title bestowed to a realized practitioner of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. Not all monks are lamas, while nuns and female practitioners can be recognized and entitled as lamas. The Tibetan word ''la-ma'' means "high mother", ...
s or teachers of the
Dharma
Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...
.
It is also used as an honorific for
abbot
Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of an independent monastery for men in various Western Christian traditions. The name is derived from ''abba'', the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ''ab'', and means "father". The female equivale ...
s of
Buddhist monasteries
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer which may ...
.
See also
*
Rinpoches
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'').
The word consists of ''r ...
, a partial list of a few spiritual teachers of past and present commonly addressed as ''Rinpoche''.
*
Tulku
A ''tulku'' (, also ''tülku'', ''trulku'') is an individual recognized as the reincarnation of a previous spiritual master (lama), and expected to be reincarnated, in turn, after death. The tulku is a distinctive and significant aspect of Tibet ...
, someone who is recognized as the rebirth of a previous practitioner of
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, Bhutan and Mongolia. It also has a sizable number of adherents in the areas surrounding the Himalayas, including the Indian regions of Ladakh, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, D ...
.
*
Mount Kailash
Mount Kailash (also Kailasa; ''Kangrinboqê'' or ''Gang Rinpoche''; ; ; , ) is a mountain in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It lies in the Kailash Range (Gangdisê Mountains) of the Transhimalaya, in the western part ...
is often called in the
Tibetan language Tibetan language may refer to:
* Lhasa Tibetan or Standard Tibetan, the most widely used spoken dialect
* Classical Tibetan, the classical language used also as a contemporary written standard
* Any of the other Tibetic languages
See also
* Ol ...
''Gang Rinpoche''.
References
External links
''Rinpoche'' entry in Rangjung Yeshe wiki.
{{Buddhism topics
Honorifics
Tibetan Buddhist titles
Religious leadership roles