also: てんぞ
noun
one of the six chief administrators of a Zen temple; the officer in charge of meals and provisions
A specific role within the traditional Zen monastic hierarchy (六知事). The 典座 oversees the kitchen, food preparation, and related supplies. The term is primarily encountered in Buddhist contexts.
See also: 六知事
彼は禅寺で典座を務めている。
He serves as the tenza (chief cook) at the Zen temple.
典座は修行僧たちの食事を管理する重要な役職だ。
The tenza is an important position that manages the meals of the trainee monks.
六知事 is the collective term for the six chief administrators of a Zen temple, of which 典座 is one. 典座 specifically handles food and provisions.
From Chinese Buddhist terminology; the characters 典 (rule, code) and 座 (seat, position) together denote the officer in charge of a specific administrative function within the temple.