Notes

 On Religious Title

These notes on some popular religious designation are collated from a number of sources but primarily from The Buddhist Handbook by John Snelling.
 

TITLE

 TRADITION MEANING
Abhivamsa Theravada Burmese, a honorific for monks who had successfully completed high levels of religious examinations.
 
Aggamahapandita Theravada Literally, “The Supremely Learned One”; Burmese title given to those who had successfully completed high levels of religious examinations.
 
Ajahn / Acharn / Achaan Theravada Thai pronunciation of the Sanskrit Acharya (“Teacher”). In lay contexts can denote a senior school or college teacher; in the Thai Sangha a meditation master.
 
Anagarika Theravada Literally, “Homeless One”; one who enters the homeless life without formally ordaining as a monk.
 
Ashin Theravada Burmese, meaning “venerable one”.
 
Ayya Theravada Meaning “Sister” or “Venerable One” for nuns; equivalent of Anagarika, but given to a lady.
 
Bhante Theravada Meaning “Venerable Bhikkhu”; usually given to the chief monk of a temple.
 
Bhikkhu Theravada Fully ordained Buddhist monk.
 
  Bhikkhuni Theravada Fully ordained Buddhist nun.
 
  Bhikshu Zen Sanskrit for Bhikkhu (Pali).
 
  Bhikshuni Zen Sanskrit for Bhikkhuni (Pali).
 
  Chao Khun Theravada Approximately “noble lord”; a title granted to important Thai bhikkhus, broadly equivalent to an honorary bishophood, with which a new name also goes.
 
  Chuje Tibetan Literally “Lord of Dharma”.
 
  Chogyal Tibetan Literally, “Dharma Raja” or Religious King or “Protector of the Buddhist Religion”.
 
  Daisho Zen Japanese, literally, “great priest”.
 
  Dasa Sila Mata Theravada Woman who has become a “homeless one” and adheres to Ten Precepts.
 
  Dharma Heir Zen Disciple to whom a Master has given Dharma Transmission.
 
  Dharma Transmission Zen The transmission of Truth or the One Mind from master to disciple, heart to heart (i.e., beyond words and concepts)
 
  Dhutanga Theravada Ascetic practice that are voluntary observed by monks.
 
  Gelong Tibetan Monk.
 
  Geshe Tibetan Gelugpa title corresponding to Doctor of Divinity.
 
  Getsul Tibetan Novice (samanera).
 
  Gyalwa Tibetan Literally, “Conqueror” (over delusion); i.e., one who has become a buddha. As a title, is used only for the highest spiritual leaders, such as the Dalai Lama (often called “Gyalwa Rinpoche”) and the Karmapa.
 
  Inka Zen Japanese, literally, “seal”; signifies that the Master has formally certified the disciple’s understanding.
 
  Kamtrul Tibetan Title given to a tulku from Kham district of Tibet.
 
  Khenpo Tibetan Generally, “Abbot”; title indicating high scholarship in Nyingma, Sakya, and Kagyu schools.
 
  Khyentse Tibetan Literally, “One in whom Wisdom and Compassion are perfectly combined”; a name carried by a number of exceptional Nyingma lamas during the last 200 years
 
  Kongtrul Tibetan Title given to a tulku from the Konpo district of Tibet.
 
  Kyabje Tibetan Literally, “Protector” or “Lord of Refuges”; a lofty title equivalent to “His Holiness”.
 
  Lama Tibetan Important religious teacher or guru; and not necessary a monk.
 
  Lharampa Tibetan First Class Honors in the Geshe degree examinations.
 
  Mahanayaka Theravada Patriarch or high-ranking Thera.
 
  Mahathera / Maha Thera Theravada Bhikkhu of 20 years’ standing. Mahatheras generally just call themselves “Thera”. The prefixed title “Maha” when used in Thailand also denotes having passed a certain examination in Pali.
 
  Ngakpa Tibetan Literally, “a practitioner of mantras”, shamanistic practitioner of the Nyingma school, adept at exorcising spirits, making rain, etc.
 
  Osho Zen Japanese, meaning priest.
 
  Phra Theravada Thai equivalent of Thera; also prefixed to names of successful Pali examination candidates.
 
  Rinpoche Tibetan Literally, “Precious One”; honorific suffixed to the name of a high lama.
 
  Roshi Zen Japanese, literally, “old teacher”; signifies a Zen Master.
 
  Samanera Theravada Postulant or novice who adheres to the Precepts but has not as yet received full or higher ordination.
 
  Sayadaw Theravada Burmese equivalent of “Maha Thera”; also given to highly respected Burmese bhikkhus.
 
  Sensei Zen Japanese, meaning teacher.
 
  Sunim Zen Korean, formal title for monks and nuns.
 
  Tan (also Than) Theravada Thai title roughly equivalent to “Venerable”.
 
  Terton Tibetan Nyingma lama who discovers a terma or (hidden) “treasure” teaching.
 
  Thera Theravada “Elder”; a bhikkhu of 10 years’ standing. Sthavira is the rather less used Sanskrit equivalent.
 
  Tipitakadhara Theravada Literally, “Bearer of the Three Pitakas”; Burmese title given to those who had successfully completed high levels of monastic education and able to recite the entire Buddhist Pali Canon from memory.
 
  Tudong Theravada Thai equivalent for dhutanga. “Tudong monk” is a wandering ascetic.
 
  Tulku Tibetan Voluntary re-incarnation of a religious figure of some distinction.