The term ‘Master’ (Shifu in Chinese, consisting of Shi ‘teacher’ and Fu ‘father’) can be construed as representing the role of ‘teacher’ coming first, while that of ‘father’ comes second. A teacher guides and illuminates the road ahead like a light, whereas a father cares for and tends to sentient beings.
关于师父的理解，
师在前，父在后；
师是指导前进道路的明灯，
父是关心照顾众生的父亲。
– Master Jun Hong Lu, Words of Wisdom Volume 7
