Shōnin
/ʃoːɲiɴ/noun
A Japanese Buddhist honorific for a revered priest, saint, or spiritually accomplished person.
Did you know?Shōnin is especially associated with revered Buddhist figures such as Shinran Shōnin, whose title functions more like “saint” or “holy master” than an ordinary personal name.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
上人
““Superior person” or “person of elevated virtue”; a Buddhist honorific in written religious language.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
上人
“Pronounced approximately shàng rén; used for a spiritually eminent person or Buddhist master.”
6th–8th Centuries
Sino-Japanese
上人
“The characters entered Japanese Buddhist vocabulary through Chinese religious and literary traditions.”
Heian Period
Japanese
しょうにん (shōnin)
“A title for an eminent Buddhist priest or holy person; the reading reflects the Japanese Buddhist pronunciation.”
Modern English
English
shōnin
“A Japanese Buddhist honorific, usually retained in discussions of Japanese religion, history, and revered Buddhist teachers.”