In Buddhism, the abbot (Pali: š²šššš”šøš¬š, romanized: saį¹ ghanÄyaka) 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: š²šššš¦šøš¬ššø, romanized: saį¹ ghanÄyakÄ).
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.