Glossary

Roshi

老師 · old teacher

An honorific title for a senior Zen teacher.

Roshi literally means "old teacher". It is a Japanese title of respect for a senior Zen teacher, placed after the name, as in Suzuki Roshi.

How the title is used depends on the school. In Rinzai Zen it is reserved for a teacher who has completed the full course of koan training and received formal authorization. In Soto Zen it has been used more loosely as a mark of respect for an older priest.

In Western Zen centers, usage varies from one community to the next.

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