Abbot (Buddhism)

Khen Rinpoche Nicholas Vreeland was the first western monk to be made abbot of a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery,[1] Rato Dratsang, in Karnataka, India

In Buddhism, the abbot (Pali: 𑀲𑀗𑁆𑀖𑀡𑀸𑀬𑀓, romanized: saṅghanāyaka) is the head of a Buddhist monastery or large Buddhist temple.[2] In Buddhist nunneries, the nun who holds the equivalent position is known as the abbess (Pali: 𑀲𑀗𑁆𑀖𑀦𑀸𑀬𑀓𑀸, romanized: saṅghanāyakā).

In English-speaking countries, the English word "abbot" is used instead of all the various words that exist in the languages of the countries where Buddhism is, or was historically, well established.

  1. ^ Taylor, Ella (November 20, 2014). "A Frustrating Love Letter In 'Monk With A Camera'". NPR. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  2. ^ "Saṅgha Leadership". Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary.