What do the various titles of the Mahayana Traditions mean?
Quoting Kendall Magnussen: Dear Daniel, “Geshe” refers to a certain level of monastic and philosophical training. It is traditionally received after approximately 25 years of full-time intensive study at one of the great monasteries. It is similar to someone getting a “ph.d.” level of study and accomplishment, although it is much more than that. There are also different levels of Geshe. For example, a “Lharampa Geshe” graduated with great honors and was among the top of his class. It is primarily a title referring to academic excellence and degree of training in the Buddhist philosophical texts. “Rinpoche” means “precious” and refers to someone who in their last life attained such a high degree of mastery that they did not have to take any more rebirths. However, out of their compassion for others, they took another birth at will – or rather took a human form – in order to teach others. Hence, they are “precious” because they returned to show us how to do it ourselves. “Venerable” is a
“Geshe” refers to a certain level of monastic and philosophical training. It is traditionally received after approximately 25 years of full-time intensive study at one of the great monasteries. It is similar to someone getting a “ph.d.” level of study and accomplishment, although it is much more than that. There are also different levels of Geshe. For example, a “Lharampa Geshe” graduated with great honors and was among the top of his class. It is primarily a title referring to academic excellence and degree of training in the Buddhist philosophical texts. “Rinpoche” means “precious” and refers to someone who in their last life attained such a high degree of mastery that they did not have to take any more rebirths. However, out of their compassion for others, they took another birth at will – or rather took a human form – in order to teach others. Hence, they are “precious” because they returned to show us how to do it ourselves. “Venerable” is a term for those who are ordained. Any mo
