Roshi

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Roshi (Jap., ‘old master’). Title of a Zen master. Initially, the title was hard-earned, being bestowed by people at large on one who was recognized as having realized the dharma of the Buddha by direct experience, and as having sustained it in everyday life (mujōdō-no-taigen). ‘Roshi’ has now become a more general title of a Zen teacher, who may be monk or lay, man or woman; and it has degenerated even further into a term of respect for any old or venerated monk.

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