The word 'hoshu' (also referred as 'hossu') refers to a person who keeps the creed of Buddhism and plays a central role in its teaching, and turns to refer to the supreme leader (head) of the school, sect and religious community.
法主（ほうしゅ/ほっす）とは、仏教においてその教義を護持してその教えの要となるべき人を指し、転じて宗派・宗門・教団の最高指導者（首長）を指すようになった。