Roshi

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A designation for a respected instructor in specific spiritual disciplines Indicates a venerable individual who shares knowledge in contemplative arts Often represents a mentor esteemed for profound insight within various philosophical realms
2. A respectful term used for a senior figure who guides students in Zen Buddhist practice
3. A designation given to an experienced and enlightened mentor leading others in Zen traditions

Etymology: The Japanese word 老師 (rōshi) is built from two characters: 老, meaning "old" or "aged," and 師, meaning "teacher" or "master." Together they form a title for a senior teacher whose age and experience command respect, and that combination carries much of the word's meaning. In Japan the term has long been used for a teacher of any kind, not only for religious figures. English borrowed the word from Japanese, and it became attached specifically to Zen. In that setting, a rōshi is a master who has achieved deep realization and guides students through meditation and koan practice, the traditional riddles and exchanges used to break habitual thinking. The English sense therefore narrowed from a general word for an honored teacher to a title for a spiritual guide within a particular tradition.