Tibetans Face New Uncertainty in Exile

By Ari Paul

Dharamsala, India—The rain came down harder and those celebrating the final day of Losar, the Tibetan New Year, squeezed in tighter to get under the roof. All were on their feet to sing the Tibetan national anthem. Barley flour was thrown in the air [RETURN TO ARTICLE]

  • Reader Comments

     Page 1 of 1 pages

    Is it true Richard Gere and Steven Segal are lamas?

    United States Posted by poopooface on Apr 7, 2005 at 7:57 PM

    They are spokespersons and lay students in, I believe, the Gelug-pa school of Tibetan Buddhism.  Lamas are monks or nuns.

    United States Posted by luminous beauty on Apr 8, 2005 at 5:56 AM

    Richard Gere is a spokesperson by default for the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Steven Seagal was recognized as an incarnation by HH Penor of the Palyul lineage of Nyingma Buddhism in the 1990s. This recognition does not make Steven Seagal a “lama,” which means one authorized to teach the 3 yanas of Tibetan Buddhism. It does, however, make him a “Rinpoche,” meaning “precious.” Authorization as a lama usually comes directly from one’s teachers and is often not given until the recipient has completed much practice and study. Lamas need not be either monks or nuns.

    Clarke Fountain, M.A. Buddhist Studies (1989), Naropa University

    United States Posted by Clarke Fountain on Apr 8, 2005 at 2:19 PM
     Page 1 of 1 pages

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