Buddhist ranks and titles

  • Chôrô - one of a number of titles for the head of a temple
  • Dai-ajari or Azari - the chief expounder of a sect's doctrine
  • Hôgen 法眼 - lit. "eye of the law," a title also granted to physicians
  • Hôin 法印 - lit. "seal of the law," a title also granted to artists
  • Hôshi 法師 - lit. "teacher of the law," a title granted posthumously to Buddhist priests
  • Hôshinnô 法親王 - lit. "prince of the law," a title held by Imperial princes who have taken the tonsure
  • Monzeki 門跡 - an imperial prince who is the abbot of a temple, or, a temple headed by an imperial prince
  • Nyûdô 入道 - a lay-monk or lay-nun; someone who has taken the tonsure in retirement
  • Sôjô 僧正 - one of the highest ranks of Buddhist priests, corresponding to a privy councilor
  • Zôsu - the priest ranking next just below the head of a temple

References

  • Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), Told Round a Brushwood Fire, University of Tokyo Press (1979), 318-324.