佛教常識(shí)_出家男子為什么稱為和尚？和尚是什么意思？

Why are the Buddhist monks termed "Heshang" in China? What does it mean?
出家男子為什么稱為和尚？和尚是什么意思？

The word "Heshang" was derived from the Sanskrit Upādhyāya,(P. Upajjhāya), meaning teacher or mentor. The word was pronounced as Pwājjhaw or Khosha in the regions to the West of China. From there to the Han-inhabited area it was changed into Heshang. Originally it was an honorable title only for those who were capable to be masters, and not to anybody else. This title at first had not been confined to Buddhist monks but might equally be applied to qualified Buddhist nuns. Later on, this word came to be used to address any male who is leading a monastic life. It is not in conformity to the original meaning.
“和尚”原來(lái)是從梵文Upādhyāya（P. Upajjhāya）這個(gè)字出來(lái)的，這個(gè)字到了西域被讀成“烏阇”，到了漢地又讀成“和尚”，它的意思就是“師”。和尚本是一個(gè)尊稱，要有一定資格堪為人師的才能夠稱和尚，不是任何人都能稱的。這個(gè)稱呼并不限于男子，出家女眾有資格的也可以稱和尚。但是后來(lái)習(xí)俗上這個(gè)字被用為對(duì)一般出家人的稱呼，而且一般當(dāng)作是男眾專用的名詞，這是和原來(lái)的字義不合的。