priest's religious name; Buddhist ordination name
The name a Buddhist priest receives upon ordination, distinct from their secular name. Used in formal and religious contexts.
His priestly name is 'Kūkai'.
A ceremony was held to confer the religious name.
From 僧 (sō, 'priest, monk') + 号 (gō, 'name, title'). The term refers to the religious name adopted by a Buddhist monk upon ordination.