also: しょうじゃ
saint; holy person
Refers to a person recognized for exceptional holiness, often in a religious context. Can also be used figuratively for someone of great virtue.
He is as generous as a saint.
That saint is said to have performed many miracles.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading せいじゃ is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common and may appear in older or Buddhist contexts.
From Middle Chinese 聖者 (syeng tsyæX), meaning 'holy person'. The reading せいじゃ is the go-on reading, while しょうじゃ is the kan-on reading.