Taxonomy of meanings for 善知識:　　

  • YOU
    • NP[post=npro_2]you, my dear friend and teacher
  • YOU/PLUR
    • VP[adN.][post=npro2]vocativeyou my knowledgeable friends
    • VP[adN.][post=npro2]you
  • TEACHER
    • NPBUDDH: good spritiual friend (and mentor), person of virtuous conduct, able to guide other people > spiritual mentor (other translations of the Sanskrit term include zhīshí 知識, shànyǒu 善友, qīnyǒu 親友, shèngyǒu 勝友, shànqīnyǒu 善親友); SANSKRIT kalyāṇamitra, PALI kalyāṇa-mitta
    • NPfigurative"teacher" [Note that 善in this construction is a non-restrictive modifier: not of those in the know, a good one...]