A Popular Dictionary of Buddhism
The ranks in the Order, itself called Gendun are, first, a Trapa, which means a monk, of any rank. The novice, equivalent to the Theravāda Sāmanera, is a Getsul.
The fully ordained monk is a Gelong. A Lama is of senior standing, in years or prestige, and is at least of the rank of a Thera. A Geshe is literally a spiritual teacher, but has the rank equivalent to a doctor of divinity, a man learned in ecclesiastical law and practice. A Tulku (q.v.) will be called Lama, but also bear the title Rimpoche (q.v.).
This is the complete article, containing 98 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
View More Summaries on Tibetan Buddhism
