Rinpoche

http://Buddhism.2be.net/Rinpoche

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

Rinpoche or Rimpoche (Tibetan:རིན་པོ་ཆེ་; /rin'potʃe/) is a Tibetan Buddhist religious/theological honorific title. "Rinpoche" literally means "the precious one in human kind". Presently the title is used to describe any esteemed lama or tulku who head a Buddhist temple. In Tibet and Bhutan, when used alone it refers to Padmasambhava, also called Guru Rinpoche, who first brought Tibetan Buddhism to the Himalayas.

A sampling of web definitions may render help in understanding the more specific usage and religious implications of the title:

(Tib. = "Precious"). Honorific applied to reincarnate lamas and other highly respected persons [1].
(Tibetan rin-po-che) - literally, precious. A term of respect added to a lama’s name [2].
The title for an incarnate lama, meaning "Precious One" in Tibetan [3].
'precious one' - a term of endearment used respectfully for Teachers and Gurus. It does not have a technical meaning or imply a ranking or level of hierarchy amongst lineage teachers [4].
Literally 'precious one'. Rinpoche is used as a respectful form of address to ones teacher. It is a mistaken assumption that the term Rinpoche indicates an incarnate Lama; although all incarnate Lamas are called Rinpoche by their students [5].
"Supremely precious," a title of respect normally reserved for highly revered incarnate masters [6].

By historic measures the title "Rinpoche" may be considered over-used and indicates little other than a title of respect, especially in cases where the title is self-applied.

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Rinpoche

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

See also