Fangzhang
/ˈfɑːŋ.dʒɑːŋ/noun
The abbot or senior cleric of a Chinese Buddhist monastery.
Did you know?The title is associated with Vimalakirti, whose supposedly tiny one-square-zhang room could miraculously contain countless visitors in Mahayana Buddhist stories.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Old Chinese
方丈
“A square zhang, with 方 meaning “square” and 丈 naming an ancient Chinese unit of length.”
Early Buddhist China
Chinese
方丈
“A term connected with the legendary one-square-zhang chamber of Vimalakirti in Mahayana Buddhist literature.”
Medieval China
Middle Chinese
方丈
“The residence or office of a senior Buddhist monk, especially the head of a monastery.”
19th–20th Century
English
fangzhang
“A scholarly transliteration for the abbot or chief monk of a Chinese Buddhist temple.”
Modern English
English
fangzhang
“A specialized loanword used in academic and historical writing about Chinese Buddhism.”