abbot

In Buddhism, the abbot (Pali: 𑀲𑀗𑁆𑀖𑀡𑀸𑀬𑀓, romanized: saṅghanāyaka) is the head of a Buddhist monastery or large Buddhist temple. In Buddhist nunneries, the nun who holds the equivalent position is known as the abbess (Pali: 𑀲𑀗𑁆𑀖𑀦𑀸𑀬𑀓𑀸, romanized: saṅghanāyakā). In English-speaking countries, the English word "abbot" is used instead of all the various words that exist in the languages of the countries where Buddhism is, or was historically, well established.