四し衆しゅ

noun

four orders of Buddhist followers

Refers to monks, nuns, male lay devotees, and female lay devotees. A standard Buddhist term.

• 四し衆しゅとは、比び丘く・比び丘く尼に・優う婆ば塞そく・優う婆ば夷いの四よっつの集しゅう団だんを指さす。

  The four orders of Buddhist followers refer to the four groups: monks, nuns, male lay devotees, and female lay devotees.

noun

four monastic communities

Refers to ordained monks, ordained nuns, male novices, and female novices. Used in monastic contexts.

• 戒かい律りつを守まもる四し衆しゅは、僧そう伽ぎゃの基き本ほん構こう成せい員いんである。

  The four monastic communities that observe the precepts are the basic members of the sangha.

noun

the four assemblies (Tendai)

Specific to the Tendai school; refers to a particular grouping of four assemblies. Rare outside Tendai contexts.

• 天てん台だい宗しゅうでは、四し衆しゅという言こと葉ばが特とく別べつな意い味みを持もつ。

  In the Tendai school, the term 'four assemblies' has a special meaning.