能のう力りき

noun

low-ranking temple worker; temple handyman

Buddhist term for a male employee who does manual labor at a temple, such as cleaning, maintenance, and errands. Often contrasted with higher-ranking priests. Cross-referenced with 寺男, a similar role.

See also: 寺男

• 彼かれは若わかい頃ころ、寺てらで能のう力りきとして働はたらいていた。

  When he was young, he worked at a temple as a low-ranking laborer.

• 能のう力りきは朝あさ早はやく起おきて境けい内だいを掃そう除じする。

  The temple handyman gets up early in the morning to clean the temple grounds.