Oshō

Oshô is the Japanese reading of the Chinese he shang (和尚), meaning high-ranking Buddhist monk or highly virtuous Buddhist monk. It is also a respectful designation for Buddhist monks in general and may be used with the suffix -san. It is originally derived from the Sanskrit upadhyaya, meaning 'master' in the sense of 'teacher.'

The two characters making up the word are actually pronounced oshô only in the Zen and Pure Land sects. For example, they are read kashô in the Tendai sect and wajô in the Shingon sect.