The French master is an eminent Buddhist (4)
I believe the answer is:
lama
'eminent buddhist' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'the french master is an' is the wordplay.
'the french' becomes 'la' ('the' in French).
'master' becomes 'm'.
'is an' becomes 'a'.
'la'+'m'+'a'='LAMA'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lama that I've seen before include "A Buddhist priest in Tibet (4)" , "Religious leader" , "Holy man in Tibet" , "Tibetan spiritual leader" , "Tibetan high priest" .)