also: せんしょう · ぜんじょう
noun
Archaic term for a teacher or master, equivalent to modern 先生 (せんせい). Used historically; not in modern everyday speech.
See also: 先生 (せんせい)
古文書には「先生」を「せんじょう」と読む例が見られる。
In old documents, one can find examples where 先生 is read as せんじょう.
noun
Archaic Buddhist term for a previous life or existence; synonymous with 前生 (ぜんしょう). Rare and limited to historical or religious contexts.
See also: 前生
仏教の古い経典では、「先生」が前世を意味することがある。
In old Buddhist scriptures, 先生 can mean a previous life.
The kanji 先生 literally mean 'born before' or 'earlier born,' implying seniority and respect. The reading せんじょう is an archaic Sino-Japanese reading; the exact historical derivation is uncertain.