how to address a Buddist priest?

Irena · Aug 27, 2003, 18:42

Mina-san, Konnichiwa!
Please tell me, how to address a Buddist temple chief priest (in a letter)? I don't know his name. O-..............-sama?, but what's the word for "chief priest"?
Thanks you for your help!
Irena
;)

Hoyu · Aug 28, 2003, 08:25

In the West, many times we will address ministers as "Reverend," sometimes we call them "Sensei." Monks are sometimes referred to as "Venerable." But a Chief Priest might even be referred to as "Bishop" in some cases. What tradition of Buddhism is the person you will be writing, and where do they live?

In Gassho,
Kakuzen

**NANGI** · Aug 28, 2003, 20:21

Konnichiwa Irena-san!

I think "-sama" is appropriate if you know his name, because the Japanese don't use managerial position(rank) in letter.

NANGI

Irena · Aug 29, 2003, 03:44

Kakuzen-san, Nangi-san,
Thank you for your help!
Nangi-san! Do you remember you gave me the address of the Mangadera in Kawasaki ? (Domo arigato gozaimasu - again!) I visited Mangadera when I was in Japan few weeks ago, and I just want to write a "thank you letter" to the Mangadera's head priest in my poor beginner Nihongo (I hope I can write some words in hiragana (^-^).
How can I address him?

;)
thank you in advance!

**NANGI** · Aug 29, 2003, 09:31

Konnichiwa Irena-san!

Of course I remember Manga-dera!;)

If you don't know head priest's name, you can write "常楽寺ご住職様" for his name. "ご住職様" is head priest in Japanese.

And this is the address.
〒211-0051 神奈川県川崎市中原区宮内4－12－14

NANGI

Irena · Sep 1, 2003, 22:10

Nangi-san! Domo arigato gozaimasu!

Aug 27, 2003, 18:42	#1
Irena Regular Member Join Date: May 9, 2003 Age: 43 Posts: 63	how to address a Buddist priest? Mina-san, Konnichiwa! Please tell me, how to address a Buddist temple chief priest (in a letter)? I don't know his name. O-..............-sama?, but what's the word for "chief priest"? Thanks you for your help! Irena ;)

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Aug 28, 2003, 08:25	#2
Hoyu Regular Member Join Date: Nov 3, 2002 Posts: 241	In the West, many times we will address ministers as "Reverend," sometimes we call them "Sensei." Monks are sometimes referred to as "Venerable." But a Chief Priest might even be referred to as "Bishop" in some cases. What tradition of Buddhism is the person you will be writing, and where do they live? In Gassho, Kakuzen

Aug 28, 2003, 20:21	#3
NANGI Tutor Join Date: Jan 8, 2003 Location: I live in Kansai. Posts: 2,276	Konnichiwa Irena-san! I think "-sama" is appropriate if you know his name, because the Japanese don't use managerial position(rank) in letter. NANGI

Aug 29, 2003, 03:44	#4
Irena Regular Member Join Date: May 9, 2003 Age: 43 Posts: 63	Kakuzen-san, Nangi-san, Thank you for your help! Nangi-san! Do you remember you gave me the address of the Mangadera in Kawasaki ? (Domo arigato gozaimasu - again!) I visited Mangadera when I was in Japan few weeks ago, and I just want to write a "thank you letter" to the Mangadera's head priest in my poor beginner Nihongo (I hope I can write some words in hiragana (^-^). How can I address him? ;) thank you in advance!

Aug 29, 2003, 09:31	#5
NANGI Tutor Join Date: Jan 8, 2003 Location: I live in Kansai. Posts: 2,276	Konnichiwa Irena-san! Of course I remember Manga-dera!;) If you don't know head priest's name, you can write "常楽寺ご住職様" for his name. "ご住職様" is head priest in Japanese. And this is the address. 〒211-0051 神奈川県川崎市中原区宮内4－12－14 NANGI

Sep 1, 2003, 22:10	#6
Irena Regular Member Join Date: May 9, 2003 Age: 43 Posts: 63	Nangi-san! Domo arigato gozaimasu!