Lamaism

[ lah-muh-iz-uh m ]

/ ˈlɑ məˌɪz əm /

the Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia, a Mahayana form including non-Buddhist Indian elements as well as elements of the preexisting Bön shamanism.

Compare Red Hats, Yellow Hats.

Origin of Lamaism

First recorded in 1810–20; lama + -ism

La·ma·ist, noun La·ma·is·tic, adjective

Yet Buddhism, especially Lamaism, acquired a new political importance.

Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 (of 3) |Charles Eliot
The Bhuddism, or Lamaism, of the Mongols, serves the important purpose of binding the tribes together by one common bond of union.

The Siberian Overland Route from Peking to Petersburg, |Alexander Michie
This was due in part to the Mongol rulers' predilection for the Lamaism that was widespread in their homeland.

A history of China., [3d ed. rev. and enl.] |Wolfram Eberhard
It is specially characteristic of Lamaism that naturally benevolent deities are represented as raging in furious frenzy.

Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 (of 3) |Charles Eliot

The national and original element in Lamaism becomes plain when we compare Tibet with the neighbouring land of Nepal.

Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 (of 3) |Charles Eliot

Lamaism

/ (ˈlɑːməˌɪzəm) /

the Mahayana form of Buddhism of Tibet and Mongolia See also Dalai Lama

Lamaist, noun, adjective Lamaistic, adjective