Bhadanta

Bhadanta (meaning venerable or respected) is an address of respect used for bhikkhus and mendicants of Theravada buddhism. Other forms are bhaddanta, bhante and bhadante. According to pali literature, Gautam Buddha used to be addressed as bhadanta or bhante. Buddhists in Buddhist countries of theravada denomination use the term bhante, while Theravada Buddhists living in dhaka and chittagong use bhadanta. [Rebatapriya Barua]