Lamaist
/ˈlɑːməɪst/noun
A person who follows or practices Lamaism, an older Western term for Tibetan Buddhism.
Did you know?The term “Lamaism” was coined by Europeans and is now often avoided because it can misleadingly suggest that Tibetan Buddhism is a separate religion rather than a form of Buddhism.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Tibetan
Tibetan
bla-ma
“A superior or revered spiritual teacher; literally interpreted as “superior one.””
17th Century
European usage
lama
“A Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher, adopted into European languages through contact with Tibet and Central Asia.”
18th Century
English
Lamaism
“A European term for the religious system associated with Tibetan lamas.”
19th Century
English
Lamaist
“A follower or practitioner of Lamaism.”
Modern English
English
Lamaist
“An established but relatively uncommon term for a follower of Tibetan Buddhism; “Tibetan Buddhist” is generally preferred.”