The masses - shutodaishu

Japanese: 衆徒大衆 - しゅとだいしゅう

A general term for monks who stayed at large temples in the Nanto and Hokuriku areas from the Heian period onwards and devoted themselves to the study of the teachings of the Buddhist discourse and the practice of Buddhist asceticism. When referring to the term "daishu" alone, it is called "daishu." They were ranked higher than the pilgrims who were engaged in chores such as maintaining the various halls and lighting flower offerings, and together with the pilgrims, they made up the temple daishu group. In secular terms, they were often from the families of middle- or lower-ranking aristocrats or local feudal lords of manor rank. In the large temples of the Middle Ages, they often played a central role in running the temples, and therefore often held meetings and councils.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

平安時代以後，南都北嶺などの諸大寺に止宿して，論義法談の慧学や修法観法に専心した僧侶の総称。〈大衆〉のみの場合は〈だいしゅ〉とよむ。諸堂の管理や供華点灯などの雑用に従事した行人（ぎようにん）の上位にあって，行人とともに寺院大衆集団を構成した。世俗的には，中･下級貴族や荘官級の在地領主の家を，その出自とすることが多かった。中世の諸大寺においては，彼らが中心となって寺院を運営することが多く，そのためにしばしば集会評定を行った。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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