善ぜん知ち識しき

noun

spiritual friend; good teacher in Buddhism

A Buddhist term for a virtuous friend or teacher who guides one toward enlightenment through teaching and example. Often contrasted with 悪知識 (akuchishiki), a bad spiritual friend.

See also: 悪知識

• 善ぜん知ち識しきに出で会あうことは、仏ぶつ道どう修しゅ行ぎょうにおいて非ひ常じょうに大たい切せつです。

  Meeting a good spiritual friend is extremely important in Buddhist practice.

• 彼かれは私わたしにとって、仏ぶっ教きょうへ導みちびいてくれた善ぜん知ち識しきです。

  He is a spiritual friend who guided me to Buddhism.