spiritual teachef　善知識 The original Sanskrit kalyānamitora literally means “good or virtuous friend”, and the Sino-Japanese rendering means “a person of good knowledge”, hence, a teacher. In the Buddhist tradition, it is used to refer to one who assists devotees or practicers to encounter the teachings and progress along the Buddhist path. In Jodo Shinshu, zenjishiki is any person who leads others to meet Amida’s compassion.