List of types of spiritual teachers
Encyclopedia
This is an index of religious honorifics, including titles from religious traditions around the world.
the spiritual teacher is known as a guru
. Traditionally, a spiritual seeker would revere his or her guru highly, and demonstrate utmost submission and humility through menial service in order to prove worthy to be a recipient of the knowledge the guru has attained by initiation practices. There are many sayings on the teacher like "Guru devo bhava" (Guru is God), which reflects of the esteem associated with a guru's role.
In the Latter Day Saint movement
the teacher is an office in the Aaronic priesthood, while in Tibetan Buddhism
the teachers of Dharma
in Tibet
are most commonly called a Lama
. A Lama who has through phowa
and siddhi
consciously determined to be reborn, often many times, in order to continue their Bodhisattva
vow
is called a Tulku
.
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman, or cleric is a member of the clergy. They may be called priest, preacher, pastor, minister, reverend, or father. In Christianity there is a wide range of formal and informal clergy positions, including deacons, priests, bishops, and ministers. In Shiaa Islam, religious leaders are usually known as imams or ayatollahs.
There are many concepts of teachers in Islam
, ranging from mullah
s (the teachers at madrassas) to ulema
s.
. They include paranormal magicians, fantasy magicians
, shamans, kalku
, and the magi
. In Shamanic magic, the Seid plays a role, as does the Warlock
and Witch in Paganism. In history, magic in the Greco-Roman world
was common. There are also the Onmyou Mystic
and the Bomoh
.
Judaism
| Jewish honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Rabbi Rabbi In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah... |
Literally means ‘great one’. The word Rabbi is derived from the Hebrew root word רַב, rav, which in biblical Hebrew means ‘great’ or ‘distinguished (in knowledge)’. |
| Av Beit Din Av Beit Din Av Beit Din, Av Beis Din, or Abh Beyth Diyn . was the second-highest ranking member of the Sanhedrin during the Second Commonwealth period. He presided over the Sanhedrin in the absence of the Nasi, and was the chief of the Sanhedrin when it sat as a criminal court... |
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| Chief Rabbi Chief Rabbi Chief Rabbi is a title given in several countries to the recognized religious leader of that country's Jewish community, or to a rabbinic leader appointed by the local secular authorities... |
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| Choizer Choizer Choizer lit. "one who reviews," pl. choizrim is a title that refers to a rabbi who memorizes the teachings of one of the Rebbes of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. This term is unique to that movement.... |
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| Fellow Student Fellow Student Fellow Student was a Talmudist epithet commonly used to describe the interim status of a disciple between the status of being merely a disciple of a teacher Rabbi and being practically equal in status. In many cases, a Fellow Student didn't fall short of his Rabbi, however he continues to perceive... |
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| Gadol Gadol Gadol or godol גדול , is a Hebrew term used mostly by Haredi Litvish Jews to refer to the most revered rabbis of their generation. These rabbis are usually held in high esteem by other Haredi or Orthodox Jews, though not necessarily to the same degree as by Litvish Jews... |
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| Gaon Gaon (Hebrew) Gaon originally referred in Ancient Hebrew to arrogance and haughty pride . Later became known as pride in general: whether good or bad . Today it may refer to:... |
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| Hakham Hakham Hakham is a term from Judaism, meaning a wise or skillful man; it often refers to someone who is a great Torah scholar. The word is generally used to designate a cultured and learned person: "He who says a wise thing is called a wise man ["hakham"], even if he be not a Jew"... |
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| Hakham Bashi Hakham Bashi Hakham Bashi is the Turkish name for the Chief Rabbi of the nation's Jewish community.-History:The institution of the Hakham Bashi was established by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II, as part of the millet system for governing exceedingly diverse subjects according to their own laws and authorities... |
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| Illui Illui Illui is a noun derived from the Hebrew and Yiddish, meaning a young Torah and Talmudic prodigy or genius.... |
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| Kohen Gadol Kohen Gadol The High Priest was the chief religious official of Israelite religion and of classical Judaism from the rise of the Israelite nation until the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem... |
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| Lamdan | |
| Maggid Maggid Maggid , sometimes spelled as magid, is a traditional Eastern European Jewish religious itinerant preacher, skilled as a narrator of Torah and religious stories. A preacher of the more scholarly sort was called a "darshan", and usually occupied the official position of rabbi... |
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| Maran Maran Maran is a title for exceptionally respected rabbis. The term is more prevalent among Sephardi Jews, but is also widely used by Ashkenazi Haredi Jews.It is an Aramaic word used frequently in the Talmud which means 'our master'... |
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| Mashgiach ruchani Mashgiach ruchani Mashgiach ruchani or mashgiach for short, means a spiritual supervisor or guide. It is a title which usually refers to a rabbi who has an official position within a yeshiva and is responsible for the non-academic areas of yeshiva students' lives.The position of mashgiach ruchani arose with the... |
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| Mashpia Mashpia Mashpia lit. "person of influence", pl. Mashpi'im is the title of a rabbi or rebbetzin who serves as a spiritual mentor in Tomchei Temimim , in a girls' seminary belonging to the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, or in a Chabad community.-Definition:Although counterparts to the mashpia exist in... |
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| Meiniach Meiniach Maniach lit. "one who places," pl. Manichim is a title that refers to a rabbi who transcribes the teachings of one of the Rebbes of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement... |
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| Nagid Nagid Nagid, , is a Hebrew term meaning a prince or leader. This title was often applied to the religious leader in Sephardic communities of the Middle Ages, generally in Egypt. Among the individuals bearing this title are the following:* Samuel ha-Nagid... |
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| Posek Posek Posek is the term in Jewish law for "decider"—a legal scholar who decides the Halakha in cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or in those situations where no halakhic precedent exists.... |
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| Rav Rav Rav is the Hebrew word for rabbi. For a more nuanced discussion see semicha. The term is also frequently used by Orthodox Jews to refer to one's own rabbi.... |
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| Rebbe Rebbe Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement... |
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| Rishon LeZion Rishon LeZion (title) This list of Sephardi chief rabbis of the Land of Israel documents the rabbis who served as the spiritual leader of the Sephardic community in the Land of Israel from the mid 17th-century to present. The Hebrew title for the position, Rishon le-Zion, This list of Sephardi chief rabbis of the Land... |
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| Rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education... |
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| Savoraim | |
| Segan Segan The Aramaic term segan or segan hakohanim in the Talmud is the title for a Jewish Priest of the Temple in Jerusalem.-Hebrew Bible:... |
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| Talmid Chacham Talmid Chacham Talmid Chacham is an honorific title given to one well versed in Jewish law, in effect, a Torah scholar.... |
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| Tzadik Tzadik Tzadik/Zadik/Sadiq is a title given to personalities in Jewish tradition considered righteous, such as Biblical figures and later spiritual masters. The root of the word ṣadiq, is ṣ-d-q , which means "justice" or "righteousness", also the root of Tzedakah... |
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| Archipheracite Archipheracite Archipheracite was the name of the ministers of Jewish synagogues, who were charged with reading and interpreting the perakim, where the titles and chapters of the law and the prophets are found... |
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| Badchen Badchen A badchen or badkhn is a Jewish comedian with scholarly overtones who entertained guests at weddings among the Ashkenazim of Eastern Europe... |
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| Cantor Cantor in Reform Judaism The cantor in the Reform movement is a clergy member who fills a diverse role within the Jewish community. Cantors lead worship, officiate at lifecycle events, teach adults and children, run synagogue music programs, and offer pastoral care... |
This title has a different meaning in Reform Judaism Cantor in Reform Judaism The cantor in the Reform movement is a clergy member who fills a diverse role within the Jewish community. Cantors lead worship, officiate at lifecycle events, teach adults and children, run synagogue music programs, and offer pastoral care... . |
| Gabbai Gabbai A Gabbai is a person who assists in the running of a synagogue and ensures that the needs are met, for example the Jewish prayer services run smoothly, or an assistant to a rabbi... |
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| Kohen Kohen A Kohen is the Hebrew word for priest. Jewish Kohens are traditionally believed and halachically required to be of direct patrilineal descent from the Biblical Aaron.... |
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| Mashgiach Mashgiach In Judaism, a Mashgiach is a person who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment.A mashgiah may supervise any type of food service establishment, including slaughterhouses, food manufacturers, hotels, caterers, nursing homes, restaurants, butchers, groceries, or cooperatives... |
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| Mashgiach ruchani Mashgiach ruchani Mashgiach ruchani or mashgiach for short, means a spiritual supervisor or guide. It is a title which usually refers to a rabbi who has an official position within a yeshiva and is responsible for the non-academic areas of yeshiva students' lives.The position of mashgiach ruchani arose with the... |
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| Mashpia Mashpia Mashpia lit. "person of influence", pl. Mashpi'im is the title of a rabbi or rebbetzin who serves as a spiritual mentor in Tomchei Temimim , in a girls' seminary belonging to the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, or in a Chabad community.-Definition:Although counterparts to the mashpia exist in... |
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| Melamed Melamed See also:Melamed Melamed, Melammed is a term which in Biblical times denoted a religious teacher or instructor in general , but which in the Talmudic period was applied especially to a teacher of children, and was almost invariably followed by the word "tinokot"... |
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| Meshulach | |
| The Mitzvah of sanctifying the Kohen The Mitzvah of sanctifying the Kohen The commandment to sanctify the priests is a commandment based in the Hebrew Bible, and developed in rabbinical teaching that requires believers in Judaism to sanctify their priests, or kohanim in various ways... |
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| Mohel Mohel A mohel is a Jewish person trained in the practice of brit milah "covenant of circumcision."-Etymology of the Hebrew and Aramaic term:... |
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| Cantorate The Reform Jewish Cantorate during the 19th Century The modern Reform Cantorate is seen as a result of developments that took place during the 19th Century, largely in Europe. The process continued to evolve in America following the emigration of German Reform Jews towards the end of the century.-Emancipation:... |
This position had a different meaning to the Reform Jewish in the 19th Century. |
| Rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva Rosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education... |
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| Sandek Sandek Sandak is the term for a person honored at a Jewish brit milah ceremony, traditionally either by holding the baby boy on the knees or thighs while the mohel performs the brit milah or by handing the baby to the mohel... |
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| Schulklopfer Schulklopfer A schulklopfer is the person who calls a Jewish community to prayer in the local synagogue. In modern times, the custom has more or less died out, but it was historically common.... |
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| Shaliah | |
| Shechita Shechita Shechita is the ritual slaughter of mammals and birds according to Jewish dietary laws... |
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| Sofer | |
| The status quo Kohen The status quo Kohen The status quo Kohen is a Rabbinic title which legitimates Kohen status to a Jewish Kohen who—amongst multiple criteria—exhibits conduct exemplary of and is recognized by his peers and community as such.... |
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| Tzadikim Nistarim Tzadikim Nistarim The Tzadikim Nistarim or Lamed Vav Tzadikim , often abbreviated to Lamed Vav, refers to 36 Righteous people, a notion rooted within the more mystical dimensions of Judaism. The singular form is Tzadik Nistar .-Origins:... |
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| Yeshiva Yeshiva Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas... |
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| Admo"r | "Admor" is an acronym for "Adonainu, Morainu, VeRabbeinu," a phrase meaning "Our Master, Our Teacher, and Our Rebbe." This is an honorific title given to scholarly leaders of a Jewish community. In writing, this title is placed before the name, as in "Admor of Pinsk" or “R' (stands for Rabbi, Rav,or Reb) Ploni Almoni, Admor of Redomsk." |
| Shlit"a | 'Shlit"a' is an acronym for "Sheyikhye Lirot Yamim Tovim Arukim/Amen," “May he live a good long life” or “May he live a good life, Amen,” given to a revered rabbi or to someone's child's Rebbe (teacher). This title is usually placed before the name. |
| K'vod K'dushat | "K'vod K'dushat," meaning “The honor of [his] holiness”. This title is usually placed before the name. It is found as early as in the 1531 edition of The Aruk. |
| Shy' | "Shy'" is an acronym for "Sheyikhye," meaning “May he live”. This title is usually placed after the name. |
Protestant Christianity
| Protestant Christian honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Preacher Preacher Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined... |
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| Pastor Pastor The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps".... |
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| Minister | |
| Reverend | |
| Father Father A father, Pop, Dad, or Papa, is defined as a male parent of any type of offspring. The adjective "paternal" refers to father, parallel to "maternal" for mother... |
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| Deacon Deacon Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions... |
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| Bishop Bishop A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the... |
See also Bishop (Catholic Church) Bishop (Catholic Church) In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church.... |
| Archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... |
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| Resident Bishop Resident Bishop (United Methodist) A Resident Bishop in the United Methodist Church is a Bishop appointed to a specific Episcopal Area . A Resident Bishop also is the Presiding Bishop of any and all Annual Conferences of the Church within the Area... |
This title is exclusive to the United Methodist Church United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley... . |
Latter Day Saints
| Latter Day Saints honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Apostle | "Elder [surname]" |
| President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In general, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is the most senior Apostle in the church, aside from the President of the Church... (or Acting President) |
"President [surname]" |
| Bishop | "Bishop [surname]" (the title is often retained as a courtesy after the individual is released from the calling) |
| Counselors in a Bishopric | "Brother [surname]" |
| Presiding Bishop Presiding Bishop (LDS Church) The Presiding Bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a priesthood calling with church-wide authority. The Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position within the church's Aaronic priesthood.-Presiding Bishopric:... and counselors in the Presiding Bishopric |
"Bishop [surname]" (the title is often retained as a courtesy after the individual is released from the calling) |
| Branch president Branch President A branch president is a leader of a "branch" congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.The calling of branch president is very similar to the calling of bishop, except that instead of presiding over a ward, the branch president presides over a branch... |
"President [surname]" |
| Counselors in a branch presidency | "Brother [surname]" |
| Deacon | "Brother [surname]" |
| District President District (LDS Church) A district of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative unit composed of a number of congregations called branches. A district is a subdivision of a mission of the church and in many ways is analogous to a stake of the church. The leader of a district is the... and counselors in a district presidency |
"President [surname]" |
| Elder | "Brother [surname]" (except for full-time missionaries, in which case it is "Elder [surname]") |
| High priest | "Brother [surname]" (except for full-time missionaries, in which case it is "Elder [surname]") |
| Full-time missionaries Missionary (LDS Church) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010... (female) |
"Sister [surname]" |
| Full-time missionaries Missionary (LDS Church) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the most active modern practitioners of missionary work, with over 52,000 full-time missionaries worldwide, as of the end of 2010... (male) |
"Elder [surname]" |
| Mission president Mission president Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission... |
"President [surname]" |
| Counselors in a mission presidency Mission president Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission... |
"Brother [surname]" |
| Patriarch | "Brother [surname]" or "Patriarch [surname]" |
| Priest | "Brother [surname]" |
| President of the Church and counselors in the First Presidency First Presidency (LDS Church) The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B... |
"President [surname]" |
| Seventy | "Elder [surname]" |
| Local and general Relief Society Relief Society The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA and has approximately 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories... , Young Women Young Women (organization) The Young Women is a youth organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... , and Primary presidents and their counselors |
"Sister [surname]" |
| Local and general Sunday School Sunday School (LDS Church) Sunday School is an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . All members of the church and any interested nonmembers, age 12 and older, are encouraged to participate in Sunday School.-Purpose:... presidents and counselors in Sunday School presidencies |
"Brother [surname]" |
| Stake President and counselors in a stake presidency | "President [surname]" |
| Teacher | "Brother [surname]" |
| Temple president Temple President Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity.... |
"President [surname]" |
| Counselors in a temple presidency Temple President Temple president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A temple president's primary responsibility is to supervise the affairs of an LDS temple in both an administrative and spiritual capacity.... |
"Brother [surname]" |
| Local and general Young Men Young Men (organization) The Young Men is a youth organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints... presidents and counselors in Young Men presidencies |
"Brother [surname]" |
Buddhism
| Buddhist honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Dalai Lama Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" branch of Tibetan Buddhism. The name is a combination of the Mongolian word далай meaning "Ocean" and the Tibetan word bla-ma meaning "teacher"... |
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| Gaden Tripa | |
| Panchen Lama Panchen Lama The Panchen Lama , or Bainqên Erdê'ni , is the highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism... |
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| Ani Ani Ani is a ruined and uninhabited medieval Armenian city-site situated in the Turkish province of Kars, near the border with Armenia. It was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom that covered much of present day Armenia and eastern Turkey... |
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| Dob-dob Dob-dob A dob-dob is a member of a type of Tibetan Buddhist monk fraternity that existed in Gelug monasteries in Tibet such as Sera Monastery and are reported to still exist in Gelug monasteries today, although possibly in a somewhat altered form... |
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| Dorje Lopön Dorje Lopon In Tibetan Buddhism, Dorje Lopön is a title given to high-level monks who preside over tantric rituals. The equivalent Sanskrit term is vajracarya . Dorje is the Tibetan equivalent of the Sanskrit vajra and therefore the term appears frequently in Tibetan Buddhist terminology relating to Vajrayana... |
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| Gyalwang Drukpa Gyalwang Drukpa The Gyalwang Drukpa or Drukchen are a line of re-incarnate lamas or tulku who are the head of the Drukpa school, one of the independent Sarma schools of Tibetan Buddhism... |
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| Gelongma Gelongma Gelongma or Gelong is the Tibetan word for a fully ordained monastic observing the entire vinaya.... |
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| Geshe Geshe Geshe is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks... |
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| Je Khenpo Je Khenpo The Je Khenpo , formerly called the Dharma Raj by orientalists, is the title given to the senior religious hierarch of Bhutan. His primary duty is to lead the Dratshang Lhentshog of Bhutan, which oversees the Central Monastic Body, and to arbitrate on matters of doctrine, assisted by lopons... |
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| Karmapa Karmapa The Karmapa is the head of the Karma Kagyu, the largest sub-school of the Kagyupa , itself one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.... |
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| Khenpo Khenpo The term khenpo is a spiritual degree given in Tibetan Buddhism. In the Nyingma, Kagyu, and Sakya traditions, the title is awarded usually after a period of 3 years of intensive study after secondary school level studies, and is considered much like a spiritual Bachelor's. Similar titles of lower... |
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| Lama Lama Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries... |
The teachers of Dharma Dharma Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender... in Tibet Tibet Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people... . |
| Panchen Lama Panchen Lama The Panchen Lama , or Bainqên Erdê'ni , is the highest ranking Lama after the Dalai Lama in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism... |
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| Pandita Pandita (Buddhism) Paṇḍita was a title in Indian Buddhism awarded to scholars who have mastered the five sciences Paṇḍita (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khepa; Wyl: mkhas pa) was a title in Indian Buddhism awarded to scholars who have mastered the five sciences Paṇḍita (Sanskrit; Tibetan: khepa; Wyl: mkhas pa) was a title in... |
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| Rinpoche Rinpoche Rinpoche or Rinboqê is an honorific used in Tibetan Buddhism. It literally means "precious one," and is used to address or describe Tibetan lamas and other high-ranking or respected teachers. This honor is generally bestowed on reincarnated lamas, or Tulkus, by default... |
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| Third Bardor Tulku Rinpoche Third Bardor Tulku Rinpoche ༼འབར་རྡོར་སྤྲུལ་སྐུ། ༽ - The Third Bardor Tulku Rinpoche is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher, a holder of the religious lineage of Terchen Barway Dorje... |
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| Shabdrung Shabdrung Shabdrung , was a title used when referring to or addressing great lamas in Tibet, particularly those who held a hereditary lineage... |
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| Shamarpa Shamarpa Shamarpa of the Red Crown"), also known as Shamar Rinpoche or more formally Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche is a lineage holder of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and the mind manifestation of Amitabha Buddha, He is traditionally associated with Yangpachen monastery near Lhasa.The first... |
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| Tai Situpa Tai Situpa In Tibetan Buddhism the Tai Situpa is one of the oldest lineages of tulkus in the Kagyu school. According to tradition, the Tai Situpa is an emanation of the bodhisattva Maitreya, who will become the next Buddha, and who has been incarnated as numerous Indian and Tibetan yogins since the time of... |
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| Tulku Tulku In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other... |
In Tibetan Buddhism, a Lama who has through phowa Phowa Phowa is a Vajrayāna Buddhist meditation practice... and siddhi Siddhi is a Sanskrit noun that can be translated as "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success". The term is first attested in the Mahabharata. In the Pancatantra, a siddhi may be any unusual skill or faculty or capability... consciously determined to be reborn, often many times, in order to continue their Bodhisattva Bodhisattva In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and... vow Vow A vow is a promise or oath.-Marriage vows:Marriage vows are binding promises each partner in a couple makes to the other during a wedding ceremony. Marriage customs have developed over history and keep changing as human society develops... . |
| Acharya Acharya In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men... |
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| Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Pandita Agga Maha Pandita is an honorific title used in Theravada Buddhism in reference to Buddhists, usually monks, who are considered to be unusually wise, noble, and enlightened.- Usage :... |
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| Ajahn Ajahn Ajahn is a Thai language term which translates as teacher. It is derived from the Pali word , and is a term of respect, similar in meaning to the Japanese sensei, and is used as a title of address for high-school and university teachers, and for Buddhist monks who have passed ten vassa.This... |
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| Ajari Ajari Ajari is a Japanese term that is used in various schools of Buddhism in Japan, specifically Tendai and Shingon, in reference to a "senior monk who teaches students; often abbreviated to jari... |
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| Anāgāmi Anagami In Buddhism, an anāgāmi is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagami-ship is the third of the four stages of enlightenment.... |
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| Anagarika Anagarika In Theravada Buddhism, an anagarika is a person who has given up most or all of his worldly possessions and responsibilities to commit fulltime to Buddhist practice. It is a midway status between monk and layperson where one takes on the Eight Precepts for the entire anagarika period, which could... |
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| Arhat Arhat (Buddhism) Arhat , in Buddhism, signifies a spiritual practitioner who has realized certain high stages of attainment. The implications of the term vary based on the respective schools and traditions.-Etymology:... |
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| Ayya | |
| Bhikkhu Bhikkhu A Bhikkhu or Bhikṣu is an ordained male Buddhist monastic. A female monastic is called a Bhikkhuni Nepali: ). The life of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis is governed by a set of rules called the patimokkha within the vinaya's framework of monastic discipline... |
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| Bhikkhuni Bhikkhuni A bhikkhuni or bhikṣuṇī is a fully ordained female Buddhist monastic. Male monastics are called bhikkhus. Both bhikkhunis and bhikkhus live by the vinaya... |
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| Bodhisattva Bodhisattva In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and... |
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| Chakravartin Chakravartin Chakravartin , is a term used in Indian religions for an ideal universal ruler, who rules ethically and benevolently over the entire world. Such a ruler's reign is called sarvabhauma. It is a bahuvrīhi, literally meaning "whose wheels are moving", in the sense of "whose chariot is rolling... |
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| Dhammacari Dhammacari Dhammacari is a term used in some Theravada Buddhist communities to refer to lay devotees who have seriously committed themselves to Buddhist practice for several years... |
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| Jisha Jisha For the article about temple-shrines with his jisha Simon Heale]], along with the titles inji and sannō, are Japanese terms used in reference to the personal attendant of a monastery's abbot or teacher in Zen Buddhism. In the Rinzai school, the term is usually either inji or sannō... |
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| Kaisan Kaisan is a Japanese term used in reference to the founder of a school of Buddhism or the founding abbot of a Zen monastery, literally meaning "mountain founder" or "to open a mountain." Ch'an monasteries of China and Japan have traditionally been built in mountainous regions, with the name of whatever... |
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| Maha Kapphina Maha Kapphina Maha Kapphina , also called Maha Kapphina Thera, was an eminent Arahant from Uttarapatha and is considered foremost among those who taught the monks. Maha Kapphina was his monastic name... |
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| Mae ji Mae ji Mae ji are Buddhist laywomen in Thailand occupying a position somewhere between that of an ordinary lay follower and an ordained monk. It is illegal for women to take ordination in Thailand. And they are expected to work essentially as maids to ordained monks, rather than receiving training and... |
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| Mahasiddha Mahasiddha Mahasiddha is a term for one who cultivates those teachings that lead to becoming perfect. They are a type of eccentric yogini/yogi in both Sanatan Dharma and Vajrayana Dharma, given by Siddhartha. Mahasiddhi are those practitioners, or tantrikas who have gained sufficient understanding and are so... |
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| Oshō Osho Oshō is the Japanese reading of the Chinese he shang , meaning a 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... |
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| Pratyekabuddha Pratyekabuddha A Pratyekabuddha or Paccekabuddha , literally "a lone buddha" , "a buddha on their own" or "a private buddha", is one of three types of enlightened beings according to some schools of Buddhism. The other two types are the Śrāvakabuddhas and Samyaksambuddhas... |
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| Rōshi Roshi is a Japanese honorific title used in Zen Buddhism that literally means "old teacher" or "elder master" and sometimes denotes a person who gives spiritual guidance to a Zen sangha or congregation... |
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| Sakadagami Sakadagami In Buddhism, the Sakadagami , "returning once" or "once-returner," is a partially-enlightened person, who has cut off the first three chains with which the ordinary mind is bound, and significantly weakened the fourth and fifth... |
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| Samanera Samanera A samanera ) may be translated as novice monk in a Buddhist context. The literal meaning is 'small samana', that is, small renunciate where 'small' has the meaning of boy or girl. In the Vinaya monastic discipline, a man under the age of 20 cannot ordain as a bhikkhu, but can ordain as a samanera... |
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| Samaneri Samaneri A samaneri is a novice Buddhist nun, who lives according to the ten precepts. Male novices are called samaneras. A woman is to be ordained, according to Theravada tradition, by both a monk and a nun, first as a samaneri. After a year or at the age of 20, she will be ordained as a full bhikkhuni.... |
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| Sāvakabuddha Savakabuddha Sāvakabuddha is a term used rarely in Theravada Buddhism to refer to an enlightened disciple of a Buddha. Such disciples are enlightened individuals who gain by hearing the Dhamma as initially taught by a Sammasambuddha... |
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| Sayadaw Sayadaw A sayadaw is the senior monk or abbot of a monastery. Some distinguished sayadaws would often referred to as a sayadawgyi * U Vicittasarabhivamsa* Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa* Mingun Sayadaw U Vicittasarabhivamsa... |
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| Sensei Sensei ' is a Japanese word that basically means "person born before another." In general usage, it means "master" or "teacher," and the word is used as a title to refer to or address teachers, professors, professionals such as lawyers, CPA and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other figures of authority... |
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| Shishō Shisho , , , and are Japanese titles used to refer to or address teachers or masters of traditional Japanese arts including, but not limited to noh, shamisen, koto, ikebana, shodo, rakugo, and Japanese martial arts.... |
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| Sikkhamānā Sikkhamana In Buddhism, a sikkhamānā is a female novice training to become a nun . In the Vinaya Pitaka's Cullavagga X.1.4, the Buddha prescribed that this training period is to be two years long, supervised by both a monk and a nun.A young woman should be ordained, according to Theravada tradition, by both... |
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| Singhai Singhai Singhai is a hereditary title awarded in the past to leaders of the Jain Sangha .... |
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| Sotāpanna Sotapanna In Buddhism, a Sotāpanna , Srotāpanna , or "stream-winner" is a person who has eradicated the first three fetters of the mind. Sotapanna literally means "one who entered the stream ", after a metaphor which calls the Noble Eightfold Path, 'a stream'... |
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| Śrāvaka Sravaka Shravaka or Śrāvaka or Sāvaka means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple".This term is used by both Buddhists and Jains. In Jainism, a shravaka is any lay Jain... |
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| Sunim Sunim Sunim is the Korean title for a Buddhist monk or Buddhist nun. It is considered respectful to refer to senior monks or nuns in Korea as Kun sunim. In most Korean temples, a middle-aged monk assumes the role of a juji sunim, who serves administrative functions. The eldest sunim is typically seen as... |
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| Temple boy Temple boy A temple boy is a boy in Thailand who lives in a Buddhist monastery and assists monks.The temple boys carry the alms bowls of the monks during the morning alms collection, and subsequently prepare the monks’ food before eating the left-overs themselves. They follow the ten precepts... |
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| Tenzo Tenzo Tenzo is a title given to the chef at a Buddhist monastery. The literal translation is 'Heavenly Monk'.From ancient times Buddhist monasteries have had six office-holders who, as disciples of the Buddha, guide the monastic community. Amongst these, the tenzo bears the responsibility of caring for... |
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| Thero Thero Thero is an honorific term for fully ordained Buddhist monks in the Buddhist monastic order. The term Theri is used fully ordained Buddhist nuns. The terms are derived from Pāli language and translate as 'elder and venerable'. These terms are used at the end of a monk or nun's other names... |
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| Thilashin Thilashin A Thilashin is a Burmese Buddhist female lay renunciant. They are often mistakenly referred to as nuns, but are closest to Samaneri.They, like the Mae ji of neighbouring Thailand and the dasa sil mata of Sri Lanka, occupy a position somewhere between that of an ordinary lay follower and an... |
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| Unsui Unsui Unsui , or kōun ryūsui in full, is a term specific to Zen Buddhism which denotes a postulant awaiting acceptance into a monastery or a novice monk who has undertaken Zen training. Sometimes they will travel from monastery to monastery on a pilgrimage to find the appropriate Zen master to study with... |
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| Upajjhaya Upajjhaya An Upajjhāya is a teacher in the Indian religions of South Asia.An upajjhāya is specifically a professional teacher in the technical subjects of Vedanga, i.e. Sanskrit grammar and other basic skills required for the perusal of the Vedas... |
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| Upāsaka and Upāsikā | |
| Vajracharya | |
Hinduism
| Hinduism honorifics and titles | |
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| Role | Description |
| Abhyasi Abhyasi An Abhyasi is a spiritual seeker in the esoteric Eastern mystical traditions. The word Abhyasi means "one who practises" in Sanskrit.... |
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| Acharya Acharya In Indian religions and society, an acharya is a guide or instructor in religious matters; founder, or leader of a sect; or a highly learned man or a title affixed to the names of learned men... |
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| Bhagat Bhagat For the Sindhi performance art see Sindhi bhagatIn Sikhism, the Sikh Bhagats were holy men of various sects whose teachings are included in the Sikh holy book the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The word "Bhagat" means devotee, and comes from the Sanskrit word Bhakti, which means devotion and love... |
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| Chakravartin Chakravartin Chakravartin , is a term used in Indian religions for an ideal universal ruler, who rules ethically and benevolently over the entire world. Such a ruler's reign is called sarvabhauma. It is a bahuvrīhi, literally meaning "whose wheels are moving", in the sense of "whose chariot is rolling... |
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| Shankaracharya Shankaracharya Shankaracharya, is a commonly used title of heads of mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The title derives from Adi Shankara, a 9th century CE reformer of Hinduism. He is honored as Jagadguru, a title that was used earlier only to Lord Krishna... |
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| Devadasi Devadasi In Hinduism, the devadasi tradition is a religious tradition in which girls are "married" and dedicated to a deity or to a temple and includes performance aspects such as those that take place in the temple as well as in the courtly and mujuvani [telegu] or home context. Dance and music were... |
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| Dvija Dvija Dvija is one of the members of the first three varnas in Hindu Dharma. Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are included in Dvija.The first birth is physical. The second occurs when one uptakes fulfilling a role in society... |
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| Firekeeper Firekeeper Firekeeper or flametender describes a specific ceremonial role, common in the religious practices of a variety of cultures. A firekeeper or flametender tends the sacred fire in the manner specific to the religious traditions of that culture.-Overview:... |
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| Godman Godman (Hindu ascetic) A godman is a colloquial name for a particular type of charismatic guru who has a high-profile presence, is capable of attracting attention and support from Indian society, and makes claims of spiritual attainments... |
The Godman is a Hindu ascetic |
| Goswami | |
| Guru Guru A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the... |
Originally referring in Sanskrit to Brihaspati Brihaspati Bṛhaspati also known as Brahmanaspati and Deva-guru , is the name of a Vedic deity... , a Hindu divine figure, today the term is commonly used in Hinduism, Buddhism Buddhism Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th... , and Sikhism Sikhism Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing... , as well as in many new religious movement New religious movement A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in... s. |
| Gymnosophists Gymnosophists Gymnosophists is the name given by the Greeks to certain ancient Indian philosophers who pursued asceticism to the point of regarding food and clothing as detrimental to purity of thought .... |
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| Jagad guru | |
| Mahamandaleshwar Mahamandaleshwar Mahamandaleshwar is a title used by some Hindu monks of the Dashanami order of renunciates founded by Shankaracharya. A person called Mahamandaleshwar has been elevated by his peers to the highest level of traditional, Hindu spiritual guardianship... |
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| Mahant Mahant A mahant is a religious superior, in particular the chief priest of a temple or the head of a monastery. The Hindi word mahant is from Prakrit mahanta-, from Sanskrit mahat "great". The priest, pundit, gyani, or pastor of any well-known religious place would be a mahant... |
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| Maharshi | |
| Mantrik Mantrik A Mantrik or mantric is someone who specializes in practicing mantra. In India the word mantrik & similar names are synonymous with magician in different languages. Generally a mantrik is supposed to derive his powers from the use of charms, mantras, spells and other methods... |
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| Melshanthi Melshanthi Melshanthi is the chief priest who performs day to day poojas in the Sabarimala Ayyappan temple.These Melshanthis come from a specific family called the Thazhamon family. The Tantris of this family reside at Thazhamon Madom. This madom is in Chengannur of central Kerala. Apart from Sabarimala, the... |
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| Pandit | |
| Paramahamsa Paramahamsa Paramahamsa , also spelled paramahansa or paramhansa, is a Sanskrit religio-theological title of honor applied to Hindu spiritual teachers of lofty status who are regarded as having attained enlightenment. The title may be translated as "supreme swan," and is based on the swan being equally at home... |
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| Paramguru | |
| Perfect Master Perfect Master (Meher Baba) Perfect Master is the English translation that the Indian spiritual master Meher Baba began to use in his writing as early as 1925 to the denote the Eastern sense of a sadguru or a qutub... |
In Meher Baba Meher Baba Meher Baba , , born Merwan Sheriar Irani, was an Indian mystic and spiritual master who declared publicly in 1954 that he was the Avatar of the age.... 's teachings, this is a person who gains God-realization God-realization (Meher Baba) God-realization, according to Indian guru Meher Baba, is the highest state of consciousness and the goal and ultimate destiny of all souls in creation. Ultimately the ego weakens through endless expression of itself in many lifetimes of experience, finally disappearing completely in full Self or... yet retains a duty to give spiritual help to humanity. It is the equivalent of a Sadguru in Vedantism and a Qutub in Sufism. |
| Rajarshi Rajarshi Rajarshi or Rajarishi is, in Hinduism and Hindu mythology, a royal saint and rishi.-Order:A Rajarshi is a king who turned into a royal sage, or Rajarshi... |
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| Rishi Rishi Rishi denotes the composers of Vedic hymns. However, according to post-Vedic tradition, the rishi is a "seer" to whom the Vedas were "originally revealed" through states of higher consciousness. The rishis were prominent when Vedic Hinduism took shape, as far back as some three thousand years... |
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| Rishi Muni Rishi Muni Rishi [Hindi/Sanskrit:ऋषि] is an ascetic, who is devoted to religious activities. He is devoted to religious activities.In ancient times Kings were guided by Rishis as Raaj Dharma was also considered a part of Dharma.... |
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| Sadhaka Sadhaka A sādhaka is someone who follows a particular sādhana, or a way of life designed to realize the goal of one's ultimate ideal, whether it is merging with brahman or realization of one's personal deity. The word is related to the Sanskrit sādhu, which is derived from the verb root sādh-, to accomplish... |
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| Sadhu Sadhu In Hinduism, sādhu denotes an ascetic, wandering monk. Although the vast majority of sādhus are yogīs, not all yogīs are sādhus. The sādhu is solely dedicated to achieving mokṣa , the fourth and final aśrama , through meditation and contemplation of brahman... |
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| Saint Saint A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth... |
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| Sannyasa Sannyasa Sannyasa is the order of life of the renouncer within the Hindu scheme of āśramas, or life stages. It is considered the topmost and final stage of the ashram systems and is traditionally taken by men or women at or beyond the age of fifty years old or by young monks who wish to renounce worldly... |
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| Sant Sant Sant is an Indian term derived from a Sanskrit verb that means both "to be good" and "to be real". From the fifteenth century the term has often referred to those who sing the name of God and worship Him, particularly the bhakti poets of Marathi... |
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| Satguru Satguru Satguru does not merely mean true guru. The term is distinguished from other forms of gurus, such as musical instructors, scriptural teachers, parents, and so on... |
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| Shaunaka Shaunaka Shaunaka is the name applied to teachers, and to a Shakha of the Atharvaveda. It is especially the name of a celebrated Sanskrit grammarian, author of the , the , the and five Anukramaṇīs to the Rigveda. He is claimed as the teacher of Katyayana and especially of Ashvalayana, and is said to have... |
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| Shishya | |
| Swami Swami A swami sometimes abbreviated "Sw." is an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into the religious monastic order founded by Adi Sankara, or to a religious teacher.The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology as... |
Refers to an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into the religious monastic order founded by Adi Sankara, or to a religious teacher. When used as a prefix with a monastic name, "Swami" usually refers to men who have taken the oath of renunciation and abandoned their social status. The monastic name is usually a single word without a first and last name. |
| Yogi Yogi A Yogi is a practitioner of Yoga. The word is also used to refer to ascetic practitioners of meditation in a number of South Asian Religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism.-Etymology:... |
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Islam
| Islamic honorifics and titles | |
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| Role | Description |
| Alayhi 'l-salat wa'l-Salam | Means "Upon him prayer and peace"; used for all earlier Prophets and Angels. |
| Alayhi wa 'ala Alihi al-salat wa 'l-Salam | Means "Upon him and his family be prayer and peace" |
| Salawat Allahi 'alayhi wa Alihi | Means "The exaltations of God shall be upon him and his family" |
| Salawat Allah wa Salamuhu 'Alayhi wa Alihi | Means "The exaltations and peace of God be upon him and his family" |
| Salla 'llah 'Alayhi wa Alihi wa Sahbihi wa sallam | Means, "May God exalt and bring peace upon him, his family, and his companions" |
| Salla 'llah 'alayhi wa Alihi wa sallam | Means, "May God exalt and bring peace upon him and his progeny" |
| Radiya Allaho 'anho | Means "May God be pleased with him"; Used for companions of prophet as well as scholars |
| Akhoond Akhoond An akhoond is a Persian name for a Muslim cleric, common in Iran, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan. The Dungani word for imam "ahond", in Mandarin "阿訇", used in particular by the Dungans, also derives from this term.... |
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| Allamah Allamah An Allamah , also spelled Allameh and Allama, is an honorary title carried by only the very highest scholars of Islamic thought, jurisprudence, and philosophy.... |
A Sunni Islam term meaning the most respected of the Marjas; it is a Persian Persian language Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence... name for teacher that is also used by some to denote a teacher of extraordinary respect. |
| Amir al-Mu'minin | |
| Ash Shakur Ash Shakur Ash Shakur is one of the Names of Allah. It is part of the 99 Names of God, by which Muslims regard God and which are traditionally maintained as described in the Qur'ān, and Sunnah, amongst other places.-Meaning:... |
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| Ayatollah Ayatollah Ayatollah is a high ranking title given to Usuli Twelver Shī‘ah clerics. Those who carry the title are experts in Islamic studies such as jurisprudence, ethics, and philosophy and usually teach in Islamic seminaries. The next lower clerical rank is Hojatoleslam wal-muslemin... |
In Shi'a Islam Shi'a Islam Shia Islam is the second largest denomination of Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites or Shias. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī , meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "party of Ali".Like other schools of thought in Islam, Shia Islam is... , a high ranking title given to clerics. |
| Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques , a historical term, was a pious title taken by the Ayyubids, the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt, and the Ottoman Sultans; it has been revived by modern Saudi kings.-Saudi monarchy:... |
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| Dervish Dervish A Dervish or Darvesh is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.-Etymology:The Persian word darvīsh is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian... |
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| Emir Emir Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world... |
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| Hadrat Hadrat is an honourific Arabic title used to honour a person. The literal translation of Hadrah is "Presence". In usage it is comparable to traditional Western honorifics addressing high officials, such as "your honour", "your majesty" or "your holiness".The term was also loaned into Turkish and... |
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| Hajji Hajji Hajji or El-Hajj, is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca, and is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel. The title is placed before a person's name... |
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| Imam Imam An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question... |
In Shi'a Islam, the Imam is appointed by God, and Muhammed was informed that the number of Imams after him will be 12. |
| Karram-Allah-u Wajhahu Karram-Allah-u Wajhahu Karram-Allah-u Wajhah is almost solely used to honor Ali as the only early Muslim who never knelt down to an idol following his guardian and teacher Muhammad in Jahilyah. This honorific is mostly used by some Sunnis and is acceptable to Shi'a. However, Shi'a prefer using 'Alayh-es-Salam or "Peace... |
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| Khawaja Khawaja Khawaja or Khwaja is a title used in Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia. It means Lord or Master.Khwajagan is a word often used to refer to a chains of Central Asian Naqshbandi Sufi Masters from the 10th to the 16th century A.D. In Ferdowsi's Shahnameh the word is used many times for some... |
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| Khoja Khoja (Turkestan) Khwāja or Khoja, , a Persian word literally meaning 'master', was used in Central Asia as a title of the descendants of the famous Central Asian Naqshbandi Sufi teacher, Ahmad Kasani . The most powerful religious figure in the late Timurid era was the Naqshbandi Shaykh Khoja Ahrar... |
A Turkestan Turkestan Turkestan, spelled also as Turkistan, literally means "Land of the Turks".The term Turkestan is of Persian origin and has never been in use to denote a single nation. It was first used by Persian geographers to describe the place of Turkish peoples... i word |
| Mahdi Mahdi In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on Earth for seven, nine or nineteen years- before the Day of Judgment and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny.In Shia Islam, the belief in the Mahdi is a "central religious... |
The 12th Imam will come either as a first time appearance or as a reappearance after a long occultation. The Mahdi is the greatest teacher, the Messiah Messiah A messiah is a redeemer figure expected or foretold in one form or another by a religion. Slightly more widely, a messiah is any redeemer figure. Messianic beliefs or theories generally relate to eschatological improvement of the state of humanity or the world, in other words the World to... of the Islamic World, and the Maitreya Maitreya Maitreya , Metteyya , or Jampa , is foretold as a future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. In some Buddhist literature, such as the Amitabha Sutra and the Lotus Sutra, he or she is referred to as Ajita Bodhisattva.Maitreya is a bodhisattva who in the Buddhist tradition is to appear on... of Buddhism. |
| Makhdoom Makhdoom Makhdoom , is a meaning of in Urdu Muslim Sufi title in South Asia and Central Asia.This title is now used by the descendents of the Sufi masters who are mostly Pirs, politicians and landlords in southern Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan.... |
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| Marabout Marabout A marabout is a Muslim religious leader and teacher in West Africa, and in the Maghreb. The marabout is often a scholar of the Qur'an, or religious teacher. Others may be wandering holy men who survive on alms, Sufi Murshids , or leaders of religious communities... |
A spiritual teacher of Islam as it is taught in the West Africa and Maghreb, The word comes from the Berber Berber languages The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert... concept of Saint Saint A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth... . The "marabout" is known as "Sayyed" (سيد) to the Arabic speaking Maghribians. |
| Marja Marja Marja , also known as a marja-i taqlid or marja dini , literally means "Source to Imitate/Follow" or "Religious Reference"... |
In Shi'a Islam, The name means source to follow. |
| Mawlawi Mawlawi (Islamic title) Mawlawi is an honorific Islamic religious title given to Sunni Muslim religious scholars or Ulema preceding their names, similar to the titles Maulana, Mullah, or Shaykh. Mawlawi generally means highly-qualified Islamic scholar... |
A Persian word for teacher meaning Master Master (form of address) Master is an archaic masculine title or form of address in English.- In English and Welsh society :Master was used in England for men of some rank, especially "free masters" of a trade guild and by any manual worker or servant employee to his employer , but also generally by those lower in status... . |
| Mawlānā | |
| Moinuddin | |
| Mu'min Mu'min Mūʾmin is an Arabic Islamic term frequently referenced in the Qur'an, literally meaning "believer", and denoting a person that has complete submission to the Will of Allah, and has faith firmly established in his heart, i.e... |
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| Mufti Mufti A mufti is a Sunni Islamic scholar who is an interpreter or expounder of Islamic law . In religious administrative terms, a mufti is roughly equivalent to a deacon to a Sunni population... |
A guide on the Path to the Source of living Water (the divine sharia law) is called Mufti. |
| Muhaddith | Someone who has profound knowledge of the Haddith, and teaches by Narration, or storytelling Storytelling Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment. Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values... . |
| Mullah Mullah Mullah is generally used to refer to a Muslim man, educated in Islamic theology and sacred law. The title, given to some Islamic clergy, is derived from the Arabic word مَوْلَى mawlā , meaning "vicar", "master" and "guardian"... |
The title of the teachers at the Madrasahs, Islamic schools. Mullah is a teacher in regard of being respected as a vicar and guardian of Qur'an and the Islamic traditions. |
| Mujaddid Mujaddid A Mujaddid , according to the popular Muslim tradition, refers to a person who appears at the turn of every century of the Islamic calendar to revive Islam, remove from it any extraneous elements and restore it to its pristine purity... |
Someone sent by God to aid the Umma and revive Islam at the beginning of every century . |
| Murshid Murshid Murshid is Arabic for "guide" or "teacher". Particularly in Sufism it refers to a Sufi teacher. The term is used by other branches of Islam as well, e.g. by the Nizaris, the main school of Ismā‘īlī Shiites.... |
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| Otin Otin Otin is a Central Asian term referring to a woman who serves as an Islamic teacher and leader in the local community. Their position has a high status, somewhat similar to a mullah's, and certain otines are officially recognized by their country's Muslim board. Otines would also serve as teachers... |
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| Peace be upon him Peace be upon him (Islam) Peace be upon him is a phrase that practising Muslims often say after saying the name of a prophet of Islam. There are three variants of this phrase in Arabic:... |
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| Sufism Pir (Sufism) Pir or Peer is a title for a Sufi master equally used in the nath tradition. They are also referred to as a Hazrat or Shaikh, which is Arabic for Old Man. The title is often translated into English as "saint" and could be interpreted as "Elder". In Sufism a Pir's role is to guide and instruct his... |
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| Pirani | |
| Qalandar Qalandar Qalandars are wandering ascetic Sufi dervishes who may or may not be connected to a specific tariqat. They are most prevalent in Central Asia, India and Pakistan, in the latter "qalandar" is also used as a title... |
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| Radhiallahu 'anhu Radhiallahu 'anhu Radhiallahu 'anhu is an Arabic phrase meaning, "May God Be Pleased With Him." This phrase is usually uttered after a Companion's name. There are grammatical variations used after the names of female companions or when more than one person is mentioned at the same time... |
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| Rahimatullah | |
| Rais Rais Raees, Raeesha, is a title used by the rulers of Muslim states in the Middle East and South Asia. It is translated as president in Arabic and wealthy in Persian... |
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| Sayyid Sayyid Sayyid is an honorific title, it denotes males accepted as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his grandsons, Hasan ibn Ali and Husain ibn Ali, sons of the prophet's daughter Fatima Zahra and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.Daughters of sayyids are given the titles Sayyida,... |
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| Sharif Sharif Sharīf or Chérif is a traditional Arab tribal title given to those who serve as the protector of the tribe and all tribal assets, such as property, wells, and land. In origin, the word is an adjective meaning "noble", "highborn". The feminine singular is sharifa... |
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| Sheikh Sheikh Not to be confused with sikhSheikh — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "leader and/or governor"... |
An Arabic honorific term that literally means Elder Elder (Christianity) An elder in Christianity is a person valued for his wisdom who accordingly holds a particular position of responsibility in a Christian group. In some Christian traditions an elder is a clergy person who usually serves a local church or churches and who has been ordained to a ministry of Word,... . It is a long historic debate in many cultures whether the elder in itself denotes the role and status of a teacher. |
| Sheikh ul-Islam Sheikh ul-Islam Shaykh al-Islām is a title of superior authority in the issues of Islam.... |
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| Subhanahu wa ta'ala Subhanahu wa ta'ala Subhanahu wa-ta'ala is an Islamic Arabic phrase that can be translated in English as:*glorified and exalted be He*may He be glorified and exalted... |
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| Sultan Sultan Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who... |
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| Sultana Sultana (title) The term Sultana is an Islamic title reserved for a few Muslim women rulers in history. It is sometimes mistaken for the title of the chief wife of a Sultan.-Overview:The most famous Sultana was Razia Sultana of India.... |
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| Thangal Thangal Thangals are the various Muslim communities of Yemeni origin found scattered and isolated in the state of Kerala, India. They migrated to Kerala during the 17th century to expand their business,and propagated Islam as they are muslims, and do not belong to the Mappila Muslim community of Kerala... |
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| Ulema/Ulama Ulema Ulama , also spelt ulema, refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. They are best known as the arbiters of shari‘a law... |
The title that indicates that the teacher has come to awareness of the consensus, the ijma Ijma Ijmāʿ is an Arabic term referring to the consensus of the Muslim community. Various schools of thought within Islamic jurisprudence may define this consensus as that of the first generation of Muslims only; the consensus of the first three generations of Muslims; the consensus of the jurists... , of the Umma Umma Umma was an ancient city in Sumer. Note that there is some scholarly debateabout the Sumerian and Akkadian names for this site.-History:... . Umma is the universal community Community The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household... of all the children of God. |
Roman Catholicism
| Roman Catholicism honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Presbyter Presbyter Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos... |
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| Chorbishop Chorbishop A chorbishop is a rank of Christian clergy below bishop. The name chorepiscope or chorepiscopus is taken from the Greek and means rural bishop.-History:Chorepiscopi are first mentioned by Eusebius in the second century... |
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| Chaplain Chaplain Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel... |
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| Chancellor Chancellor Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the... |
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| Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign... |
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| Prince bishop | |
| Abbott | |
| Ecumenical Patriarch | |
| Patriarch Patriarch Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp... |
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| Catholicoi | The heads of some of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Rite Catholic sui iuris Sui iuris Sui iuris, commonly also spelled sui juris, is a Latin phrase that literally means “of one’s own laws”.-Secular law:In civil law the phrase sui juris indicates legal competence, the capacity to manage one’s own affairs... churches (notably the Armenian); roughly similar to a Patriarch. |
| Primate Primate (religion) Primate is a title or rank bestowed on some bishops in certain Christian churches. Depending on the particular tradition, it can denote either jurisdictional authority or ceremonial precedence .... |
A primate is usually the bishop of the oldest church of a nation. Sometimes this carries jurisdiction over metropolitan bishops, but usually it is purely honorific. The primate of the Scottish Episcopal Church Scottish Episcopal Church The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland.... is chosen from among the diocesan bishops, and, while retaining diocesan responsibility, is called Primus. |
| Presiding Bishop Presiding Bishop The Presiding Bishop is an ecclesiastical position in some denominations of Christianity.- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America :The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the chief ecumenical officer of the church, and the leader and caretaker for the bishops of the... or President Bishop |
These titles are often used for the head of a national Anglican church, but the title is not usually associated with a particular episcopal see Episcopal See An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral... like the title of a primate. |
| Major archbishop Major Archbishop right|200 px|thumb|Archbishop [[Sviatoslav Shevchuk]], Major Archbishop of Kyiv-HalychIn the Eastern Catholic Churches, major archbishop is a title for an hierarch to whose archiepiscopal see is granted the same jurisdiction in his autonomous particular Church that an Eastern patriarch has in... |
Major archbishops are the heads of some of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Their authority within their sui juris church is equal to that of a patriarch, but they receive fewer ceremonial honors. |
| Metropolitan bishop Metropolitan bishop In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of... |
A metropolitan bishop Metropolitan bishop In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of... is an archbishop in charge of an ecclesiastical province Ecclesiastical Province An ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion... , or group of dioceses, and in addition to having immediate jurisdiction over his own archdiocese, also exercises some oversight over the other dioceses within that province. Sometimes a metropolitan may also be the head of an autocephalous, sui iuris Sui iuris Sui iuris, commonly also spelled sui juris, is a Latin phrase that literally means “of one’s own laws”.-Secular law:In civil law the phrase sui juris indicates legal competence, the capacity to manage one’s own affairs... , or autonomous Autonomous area An autonomous area or autonomous entity is an area of a country that has a degree of autonomy, or freedom from an external authority. Typically it is either geographically distinct from the rest of the country or populated by a national minority. Countries that include autonomous areas are often... church when the number of adherents of that tradition are small. In the Latin Rite, metropolitans are always archbishops; in many Eastern churches, the title is "metropolitan," with some of these churches using "archbishop" as a separate office. |
| Archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... |
An archbishop is the bishop of an archdiocese. This is usually a prestigious diocese with an important place in local church history. In the Roman Catholic Church, the title is purely honorific and carries no extra jurisdiction, though most archbishops are also metropolitan bishop Metropolitan bishop In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of... s, as above. In most provinces of the Anglican Communion, however, an archbishop has metropolitical and primatial power. |
| Suffragan bishop Suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:... |
A suffragan bishop Suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:... is a bishop subordinate to a Metropolitan. In the Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity... this term is applied to all non-metropolitan bishops (that is, diocesan bishops of dioceses within a metropolitan's province, and auxiliary bishop Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office... s). In the Anglican Communion Anglican Communion The Anglican Communion is an international association of national and regional Anglican churches in full communion with the Church of England and specifically with its principal primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury... , the term applies to a bishop who is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop: the Bishop of Warwick Bishop of Warwick The Bishop of Warwick is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of Coventry, in the Province of Canterbury, England. The title takes its name after Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire.... is suffragan to the Bishop of Coventry Bishop of Coventry The Bishop of Coventry is the Ordinary of the England Diocese of Coventry in the Province of Canterbury. In the Middle Ages, the Bishop of Coventry was a title used by the bishops known today as the Bishop of Lichfield.... (the diocesan), though both live in Coventry Coventry Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although... . Some Anglican suffragans are given the responsibility for a geographical area within the diocese (for example, the Bishop of Stepney Stepney Stepney is a district of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in London's East End that grew out of a medieval village around St Dunstan's church and the 15th century ribbon development of Mile End Road... is an area bishop within the Diocese of London Diocese of London The Anglican Diocese of London forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England.Historically the diocese covered a large area north of the Thames and bordered the dioceses of Norwich and Lincoln to the north and west. The present diocese covers and 17 London boroughs, covering most of Greater... ). |
| Titular bishop Titular bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place... |
A titular bishop Titular bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place... is a bishop without a diocese. Rather, the bishop is head of a titular see Titular see A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular bishop", "titular metropolitan", or "titular archbishop".... , which is usually an ancient city that used to have a bishop, but, for some reason or other, does not have one now. Titular bishops often serve as auxiliary bishop Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office... s. In the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bishops of modern dioceses are often given a titular see alongside their modern one (for example, the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain). |
| Auxiliary bishop Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office... |
An auxiliary bishop Auxiliary bishop An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office... is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop (the Orthodox and Catholic equivalent of an Anglican suffragan bishop Suffragan bishop A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or diocesan bishop. He or she may be assigned to an area which does not have a cathedral of its own.-Anglican Communion:... ). An auxiliary bishop is a titular bishop Titular bishop A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place... , and he is to be appointed as a vicar general Vicar general A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular... or at least as an episcopal vicar of the diocese in which he serves. |
| Coadjutor bishop Coadjutor bishop A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese... |
A coadjutor bishop Coadjutor bishop A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese... is an auxiliary bishop who is given almost equal authority in a diocese with the diocesan bishop, and the automatic right to succeed the incumbent diocesan bishop. The appointment of coadjutors is often seen as a means of providing for continuity of church leadership. |
| Honorary Assistant bishop, Assisting Bishop, or Bishop Emeritus | These titles are usually applied to retired bishops who are given a general licence to minister as episcopal pastors under a diocesan's oversight. The titles, in this meaning, are not used by the Roman Catholic Church. |
| Chorbishop Chorbishop A chorbishop is a rank of Christian clergy below bishop. The name chorepiscope or chorepiscopus is taken from the Greek and means rural bishop.-History:Chorepiscopi are first mentioned by Eusebius in the second century... |
A chorbishop is an official of a diocese in some Eastern Christian churches. Chorbishops are not generally ordained bishops – they are not given the sacrament of Holy Orders in that degree – but function as assistants to the diocesan bishop with certain honorary privileges. |
| Cardinal Cardinal (Catholicism) A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and... |
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| Lord Bishop Lord Bishop "Lord Bishop" is a traditional form of address used for bishops since the Middle Ages, an era when bishops occupied the feudal rank of 'lord' by virtue of their office... |
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| Prince-Bishop Prince-Bishop A Prince-Bishop is a bishop who is a territorial Prince of the Church on account of one or more secular principalities, usually pre-existent titles of nobility held concurrently with their inherent clerical office... |
Also called Prince of the Church Prince of the Church The term Prince of the Church is nowadays used nearly exclusively for Catholic Cardinals. However the term is historically more important as a generic term for clergymen whose offices hold the secular rank and privilege of a prince or are considered its equivalent... |
Roman Catholicism in the United States
| Roman Catholics in the United States honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Cardinal Cardinal (Catholicism) A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and... |
Referred to as His Eminence His Eminence His Eminence is a historical style of reference for high nobility, still in use in various religious contexts.-Catholicism:The style remains in use as the official style or standard of address in reference to a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, reflecting his status as a Prince of the Church.A... ; Your Eminence |
| Cardinal Cardinal (Catholicism) A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and... who is also an archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... |
His Eminence; Your Eminence |
| Archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... |
Referred to as The Most Reverend; His Grace; Your Grace. |
| Bishop Bishop A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the... |
Referred to as The Most Reverend; His Excellency; Your Excellency. |
| Abbot Abbot The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery... |
Referred to as The Right Reverend; others depending on personal and abbey custom. |
| Protonotary Apostolic Protonotary apostolic In the Roman Catholic Church, protonotary apostolic is the title for a member of the highest non-episcopal college of prelates in the Roman Curia or, outside of Rome, an honorary prelate on whom the pope has conferred this title and its special privileges.-History:In later antiquity there were in... , Honorary Prelate Honorary Prelate An Honorary Prelate of His Holiness is a priest to whom the Pope has granted this title. They are addressed as Monsignor and have certain privileges as regards ecclesiastical dress... , Chaplain of His Holiness Chaplain of His Holiness A Chaplain of His Holiness is a priest to whom the Pope has granted this title. They are addressed as Monsignor and have certain privileges, such as regards ecclesiastical dress.... |
Referred to as The Reverend Monsignor Monsignor Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"... . Postnominals are rarely used for Honorary Prelates or Chaplains of His Holiness. |
| Vicar General Vicar general A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular... |
Referred to as The Very Reverend or The Reverend. |
| Judicial Vicar Judicial vicar In the Roman Catholic Church, a judicial vicar is an officer of the diocese who has ordinary power to judge cases in the diocesan ecclesiastical court... , Ecclesiastical Judge Ecclesiastical Judge An Ecclesiastical Judge is an ecclesiastical person who possesses ecclesiastical jurisdiction either in general or in the strict sense.-Catholic canon law:... , Episcopal Vicar, Vicar Forane, Dean Dean (religion) A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:... , Provincial Superior, Rector Rector The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator... |
Referred to as The Very Reverend or Father. |
| Prior Prior Prior is an ecclesiastical title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier, first', with several notable uses.-Monastic superiors:A Prior is a monastic superior, usually lower in rank than an Abbot. In the Rule of St... |
Referred to as The Very Reverend or Father. |
| Pastor Pastor The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps".... of a Catholic parish, Parochial Vicar, Chaplain Chaplain Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel... , Priest Priest A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities... |
Referred to as The Reverend or Father. |
| Transitional Deacon Deacon Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions... |
Referred to as Reverend Mister or Deacon. |
| Permanent Deacon | Referred to as Mister or Deacon. |
| Seminarian | Referred to as Mister. |
| Brother | Referred to as Brother. |
| Abbess Abbess An abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey.... , Prioress, superior of a religious order of women or a province |
Referred to as Mother. |
| Religious nun | Referred to as Sister. |
Eastern Orthodox
| Eastern Orthodox honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Constantinople Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:... |
Ecumenical Patriarch [insert name], His All-Holiness, Your All-Holiness. |
| Patriarch Patriarch Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp... |
Patriarch [insert name] of [place], Patriarch, His Beatitude, Your Beatitude. |
| Archbishop Archbishop An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop... of an independent Church |
The Most Reverend Archbishop [insert name] of [place], Archbishop John, His Beatitude, Your Beatitude. |
| Archbishop of a sub-national Church | The Most Reverend Archbishop [insert name] of [place], Archbishop John, His Eminence, Your Eminence. |
| Metropolitan Metropolitan bishop In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of... |
The Most Reverend Metropolitan [insert name] of [place], Metropolitan John, His Eminence, Your Eminence. |
| Titular Metropolitan | The Most Reverend Metropolitan [insert name] of [place], His Excellency, Your Excellency. Some Metropolitans use the style "The Very Most Reverend", and a Metropolitan who is the head of an independent Church is addressed as "Beatitude" rather than "Excellency". |
| Bishop Bishop A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the... |
The Right Reverend Bishop [insert name] of [place], Bishop [insert name], His Grace, Your Grace. |
| Titular/Auxiliary Bishop | Same as for Bishops, above, and in other languages Sayedna (Arabic), Despota (Greek), Vladika (Russian). |
| Priest Priest A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities... (Presbyter Presbyter Presbyter in the New Testament refers to a leader in local Christian congregations, then a synonym of episkopos... ) |
The Reverend Father or Father. |
| Protopriest Protopriest Protopriest — in the College of Cardinals, is the first Cardinal-Priest in the order of precedence. This title is always attached to the most senior Cardinal Priest according to date of his creation. From the 17th century until the end of 19th century Protopriest usually opted for the titulus San... |
The Very Reverend Protopriest or Father. |
| Archpriest Archpriest An archpriest is a priest with supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches, although it may be used in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church instead of dean or vicar forane.In the 16th and 17th centuries, during... |
The Very Reverend Archpriest [insert name] or Father. |
| Archimandrite Archimandrite The title Archimandrite , primarily used in the Eastern Orthodox and the Eastern Catholic churches, originally referred to a superior abbot whom a bishop appointed to supervise... |
The Very Reverend Archimandrite [insert name], or The Right Reverend Archimandrite, or Father. |
| Hieromonk Hieromonk Hieromonk , also called a Priestmonk, is a monk who is also a priest in the Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholicism.... (Priest-monk) |
The Reverend Hieromonk or Father. In other languages Abouna (Arabic), Pappas (Greek), Batushka (Russian) |
| Priest's Wife | Presbytera Mary (Greek), Khouria Mary (Arabic), Matushka Mary (Russian), Papadiya Mary (Serbian), Panimatushka (Ukrainian) |
| Deacon Deacon Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions... |
The Reverend Father [insert name], Deacon [insert name], Father [insert name], Deacon Father [insert name], Deacon [insert name] |
| Protodeacon Protodeacon Protodeacon derives from the Greek proto- meaning 'first' and diakonos, which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiting-man," "minister" or "messenger." The word in English may refer to various clergymen, depending upon the usage of the particular church in question.-Eastern... |
The Reverend Protodeacon [insert name], Father [insert name], Deacon Father [insert name], Deacon [insert name] |
| Archdeacon Archdeacon An archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church... |
The Reverend Archdeacon [insert name], Father [insert name], Deacon Father [insert name], Deacon [insert name]. |
| Hierodeacon Hierodeacon A Hierodeacon , sometimes translated "deacon-monk", in Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a monk who has been ordained a deacon... (Deacon-monk) |
The Reverend Hierodeacon [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Deacon's Wife | Diakonissa Mary (Greek), or the same titles as a priest's wife |
| Abbot Abbot The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery... |
The Right Reverend Abbot [insert name], Abbot [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Abbess Abbess An abbess is the female superior, or mother superior, of a community of nuns, often an abbey.... |
The Reverend Mother Superior [insert name], The Very Reverend Abbess [insert name], Reverend Mother [insert name], Mother [insert name] |
| Monk Monk A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose... |
Monk [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Rassophore Monk | Rassophore Monk [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Stavrophore Monk | Stavrophore Monk [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Schemamonk | Schemamonk [insert name], Father [insert name] |
| Novice | Novice [insert name]; or Brother [insert name]. The title "Brother" is a result of Latin influence; the title is only given to some novices with a special blessing. |
| Nun Nun A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent... |
Nun [insert name], Mother [insert name] |
| Rassophore Nun | Rassophore Nun [insert name], Sister [insert name] |
| Novice | Sister [insert name] |
New Thought
| Pagan honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Doctor Physician A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments... |
|
| Counselor Counselor - Medicine and social work :* A counsel* Camp counselor** Counselor-in-Training, training program for camp counselors* Lay Community Counsellor* Licensed Professional Counselor* Mental Health Counselor* Navy Counselor in the United States Navy... |
|
| Life coach | |
| Healing practitioner | |
| Religious Science Practitioner | "A trained counselor who listens to concerns and offers loving prayers in accordance to the principles of Science of Mind. Practitioners honor each person from a holistic viewpoint and acknowledge their basic loving nature." |
Paganism
| Pagan honorifics and titles | |
|---|---|
| Role | Description |
| Volkhvy Volkhvy Volkhvy were heathen priests in pre-Christian Rus’. Volkhvy were believed to possess mystical powers, particularly the ability to predict the future. The first literary reference to a volkhv occurs in the Primary Chronicle under the year 912; there, the priest-soothsayer predicts Prince Oleh's death... |
Heathen priests among the pre-Christian Rus' people. |
| Witch | |
| High Priest High priest The term "high priest" usually refers either to an individual who holds the office of ruler-priest, or to one who is the head of a religious caste.-Ancient Egypt:... /High Priestess |
A Wiccan role. |
| Solitary practitioner | |
Teachers
In HinduismHinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
the spiritual teacher is known as a guru
Guru
A guru is one who is regarded as having great knowledge, wisdom, and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others . Other forms of manifestation of this principle can include parents, school teachers, non-human objects and even one's own intellectual discipline, if the...
. Traditionally, a spiritual seeker would revere his or her guru highly, and demonstrate utmost submission and humility through menial service in order to prove worthy to be a recipient of the knowledge the guru has attained by initiation practices. There are many sayings on the teacher like "Guru devo bhava" (Guru is God), which reflects of the esteem associated with a guru's role.
In the Latter Day Saint movement
Latter Day Saint movement
The Latter Day Saint movement is a group of independent churches tracing their origin to a Christian primitivist movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. in the late 1820s. Collectively, these churches have over 14 million members...
the teacher is an office in the Aaronic priesthood, while in Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
the teachers of Dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
in Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
are most commonly called a Lama
Lama
Lama is a title for a Tibetan teacher of the Dharma. The name is similar to the Sanskrit term guru .Historically, the term was used for venerated spiritual masters or heads of monasteries...
. A Lama who has through phowa
Phowa
Phowa is a Vajrayāna Buddhist meditation practice...
and siddhi
Siddhi
is a Sanskrit noun that can be translated as "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success". The term is first attested in the Mahabharata. In the Pancatantra, a siddhi may be any unusual skill or faculty or capability...
consciously determined to be reborn, often many times, in order to continue their Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
vow
Vow
A vow is a promise or oath.-Marriage vows:Marriage vows are binding promises each partner in a couple makes to the other during a wedding ceremony. Marriage customs have developed over history and keep changing as human society develops...
is called a Tulku
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
.
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman, or cleric is a member of the clergy. They may be called priest, preacher, pastor, minister, reverend, or father. In Christianity there is a wide range of formal and informal clergy positions, including deacons, priests, bishops, and ministers. In Shiaa Islam, religious leaders are usually known as imams or ayatollahs.
There are many concepts of teachers in Islam
Teachers in Islam
There are many concepts of teachers in Islam. Islam is, in contrast to many westerners' understanding, an explicitly non-hierarchical spiritual community, but the concepts and names for spiritual teachers and secular functions are often mixed and confused:...
, ranging from mullah
Mullah
Mullah is generally used to refer to a Muslim man, educated in Islamic theology and sacred law. The title, given to some Islamic clergy, is derived from the Arabic word مَوْلَى mawlā , meaning "vicar", "master" and "guardian"...
s (the teachers at madrassas) to ulema
Ulema
Ulama , also spelt ulema, refers to the educated class of Muslim legal scholars engaged in the several fields of Islamic studies. They are best known as the arbiters of shari‘a law...
s.
Magicians
There are many kinds of people who deal with magicMagic (paranormal)
Magic is the claimed art of manipulating aspects of reality either by supernatural means or through knowledge of occult laws unknown to science. It is in contrast to science, in that science does not accept anything not subject to either direct or indirect observation, and subject to logical...
. They include paranormal magicians, fantasy magicians
Magician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
, shamans, kalku
Kalku
Kalku or Calcu, in Mapuche mythology, is a sorcerer or witch that works with black magic and negative powers or forces. The essentially benevolent shamans are more often referred to as machi, to avoid confusion with the malevolent kalku...
, and the magi
Magi
Magi is a term, used since at least the 4th century BC, to denote a follower of Zoroaster, or rather, a follower of what the Hellenistic world associated Zoroaster with, which...
. In Shamanic magic, the Seid plays a role, as does the Warlock
Warlock
The term warlock in origin means "traitor, oathbreaker".In early modern Scots, the word came to be used as the male equivalent of witch ....
and Witch in Paganism. In history, magic in the Greco-Roman world
Magic in the Greco-Roman world
The study of magic in the Greco-Roman world is a branch of the disciplines of classics, ancient history and religious studies. In the ancient post-hellenistic world of the Greeks and Romans , the public and private rituals associated with religion are accepted by historians and archaeologists to...
was common. There are also the Onmyou Mystic
Onmyodo
is a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is based on the Chinese philosophies of Wu Xing and Yin and yang, introduced into Japan at the turn of the 6th century, and accepted as a practical system of divination...
and the Bomoh
Bomoh
A bomoh or dukun is a Malay shaman. The bomoh's original role was that of a healer and their expertise was first and foremost an in-depth knowledge of medicinal herbs and tajul muluk or Malay geomancy...
.