[Buddha-l] Lamas and such

[Franz Metcalf]

Gang,

Whatever the meaning of "bla-ma" in Tibetan (thank you, Dan and Kate),  
I think the meaning in English necessarily differs, for historical  
reasons. Without being able to prove it, I assert there is no question  
the English term "Lamaism" is analogous to "Popery" and is thus  
distorted, reductive, and pejorative. Please consider the historical  
and intellectual context of the origin of this English word and apply  
a little hermeneutic of suspicion.

Of course *I* think the English word "obtain" means something  
different than "attain," so you are all wise to doubt my pronouncements.

Franz