Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

I just recently figured that some venerable ones (for example Phra Athikan Kevali at Wat Pah Nanachat) are not or not exclusively called Ajahns, but Athikans. What does that mean? Is it Pali for abbot? I thought there is no such term in pali language.

Thank your for anyone willing and able to clarify this

The Pali term is adhikāra (pronounced "athikan" in Thai) and means something like "manager", or in other words abbot. Normally many abbots in Thailand have other more lofty titles such as Phra Khru, Tan Chao Khun, etc. but in case they don't, they would use Phra Athikan So-and-so instead.
(The term Ajahn is rather informal.)

gavesako wrote:The Pali term is adhikāra (pronounced "athikan" in Thai) and means something like "manager", or in other words abbot. Normally many abbots in Thailand have other more lofty titles such as Phra Khru, Tan Chao Khun, etc. but in case they don't, they would use Phra Athikan So-and-so instead.
(The term Ajahn is rather informal.)

Thank you very much Bhante for clarifying this