traveling priest; wandering monk
Refers to a Buddhist priest who journeys from place to place, often for pilgrimage, teaching, or ascetic practice. The term carries a traditional, somewhat literary flavor.
A traveling priest arrived in the village and chanted sutras.
昔話には、旅僧がよく登場する。
Traveling priests often appear in old tales.
Compound of 旅 (tabi, 'travel') and 僧 (sō, 'priest, monk'). The reading たびそう follows standard on'yomi for 僧.