教祖
Meanings
1
founder of a religious sect
Refers specifically to the person who established a religious group or denomination. Can also be used metaphorically for the originator of a movement or school of thought.
The founder of this sect was a monk in the Edo period.
He is regarded as the founder of a new spiritual movement.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が教祖になるfor someone to become the founder/leader of a religious group
He became the founder of a new religious sect.
- 教祖を名乗るto claim to be a cult founder/leader
The man called himself a cult leader and gathered followers.
- 教祖として崇めるto revere someone as the founder of a religion
The followers revere him as their cult leader.