rinpoche

{{Short description|Honorific term used in the Tibetan language}}

{{Tibetan Buddhism}}

Rinpoche, also spelled Rimpoche ({{bo|t={{linktext|རིན་པོ་ཆེ|་}}|w=rin po che|s=Rinpoché|z=Rinboqê}}), is an honorific term used in the Tibetan language. It literally means "precious one", and may refer to a person, place, or thing—like the words "gem" or "jewel" (Sanskrit: Ratna).{{Cite journal |last=Shakspo |first=Nawang Tsering |date=1999 |title=The Role of Incarnate Lamas in Buddhist Tradition: A Brief Survey of Bakula Rinpoche's Previous Incarnations |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43300761 |journal=The Tibet Journal |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=38–47 |jstor=43300761 |issn=0970-5368}}

The word consists of rin (value), po (nominalizing suffix) and chen (big).

The word is used in the context of Tibetan Buddhism as a way of showing respect when addressing those recognized as reincarnated, older, respected, notable, learned and/or an accomplished Lamas or teachers of the Dharma.{{Cite journal |last=Yu |first=Chun-Fang |date=March 2000 |title=The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche: The Trials of Telo Rinpoche: A Stranger in My Native Land:The Reincarnation of Khensur Rinpoche.;The Trials of Telo Rinpoche.;A Stranger in My Native Land. |url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1525/aa.2000.102.1.158 |journal=American Anthropologist |language=en |volume=102 |issue=1 |pages=158–159 |doi=10.1525/aa.2000.102.1.158 |issn=0002-7294|url-access=subscription }} It is also used as an honorific for abbots of Buddhist monasteries.