Hip Glossary: Roshi

Roshi (rōshi) is a Japanese word, common in Zen Buddhism, meaning "old" (ro) and "teacher" (shi). Roshi can be used as a term of respect, as in the Rinzai school; as a simple reference to actual age, as in the Soto school; or it can mean a teacher who has transmitted knowledge to, and thus "given birth" to, a new teacher.

roshi, lit. "teacher", An honorific given to Japanese Buddhist teachers

source:wikipedia