<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Lama (Tibetan: བླ ་ མ ་, Wylie: bla - ma; "chief" or "high priest") is a title for a teacher of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism . The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru . </P> <P> Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries . Today the title can be used as an honorific title conferred on a monk, nun or (in the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya schools) advanced tantric practitioner to designate a level of spiritual attainment and authority to teach, or may be part of a title such as Dalai Lama or Panchen Lama applied to a lineage of reincarnate lamas (Tulkus). </P>

In which tradition do lamas play an important role