the chief monk,the father of the community (abbess in a nunnery).
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            In general means someone who gives monastic vows. This title is also given to a person who has attained a high degree of knowledge of the dharma and is in charge of teaching it. It can also simply be the title given to the eldest monk during a traditional summer retreat.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            head of an abbey or monastic community. Aid: any money payment made to an overlord, but more precisely a payment made to him on certain specific occasions.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            The superior of a monastary. From the Syriac, meaning father. The term was used from the 5th century.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the superior of an abbey of monks 
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the head of a monastic house of the Benedictine or related orders, and of certain orders of Augustinian canons
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the one who gives the disciples the monastic precepts.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            The superior of a community of monks.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            A monk who is the head of an abbey for men. The title originates from the Aramaic word 'ABBA' meaning 'father'.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            the monk who was in charge of other monks in a monastery.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            Person in charge of an Abbey
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            A person in charge of teaching at a monastery who has attained a high degree of Buddhist knowledge. Also refers to someone who gives monastic vows.
                                                            
                                                     
                        
                                                
                        
                        
                            The word abbot, meaning father, has been used as a Christian clerical title in various, mainly monastic, meanings.