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僧衆 (そうしゅう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

僧そう衆しゅう

also: そうしゅ

Meanings

1

noun

large number of priests; assembly of monks

Refers to a sizable group of Buddhist priests or monks, often in a formal or ceremonial context.

法ほう要ようには多おおくの僧そう衆しゅうが集あつまった。
A large number of priests gathered for the memorial service.
その寺てらは僧そう衆しゅうの修しゅ行ぎょうの場ばとして知しられている。
That temple is known as a place of training for an assembly of monks.

Written forms

僧衆Usage100%
- そうしゅう
  Standard kanji form; the reading そうしゅう is the most common.
- そうしゅ
  Alternate reading; less common than そうしゅう.

そうしゅ

Kanji

僧Buddhist priest, monk
衆masses, great numbers, multitude

Similar words

僧そう侶りょ
僧侶 refers to an individual monk or priest, while 僧衆 emphasizes a group or multitude of them.
僧そう団だん
僧団 is a more organized term for a monastic community or order, whereas 僧衆 simply indicates a large gathering.

Etymology

Compound of 僧 (monk) and 衆 (multitude, group). The reading そうしゅう is the standard on'yomi combination; そうしゅ is a less common variant.