和尚
also: わじょう
Meanings
priestly teacher; preceptor
Buddhist honorific term for a priestly teacher or preceptor. The pronunciation varies by sect: おしょう in Zen and Pure Land, かしょう in Tendai and Kegon, わじょう in Shingon, Hosso, Ritsu, and Shin Buddhism.
In Zen Buddhism, 和尚 refers to the master who guides disciples.
Only with reading おしょう / かしょう
Commonly used for a Buddhist monk, especially the head monk or chief priest of a temple. Restricted to the readings おしょう and かしょう.
The head priest of that temple is very kind.
The monk chants sutras every morning.
second highest priestly rank
Specific Buddhist rank, below 法眼 (ほうげん). A technical term within the Buddhist hierarchy.
See also: 法眼
In the priestly hierarchy, 和尚 ranks just below 法眼.
Figurative use for a master of an art, trade, or skill. Less common than the Buddhist senses.
He is such a master in the culinary world that he is called 和尚.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉和尚Reverend ~ (used after a priest's name as an honorific title)
Reverend Ryōkan left behind many poems.
- 和尚になるto become a head priest/monk
After long training, he became a head priest.
Expressions
- 衣ばかりで和尚はできぬthe clothes do not make the man; the cowl does not make the monk