Doubly topical! This week we’re reading a section of the Tale of the Heike for class.

諸行無常
sho.gyou.mu.jou

Literally: many / various – go – no – ordinary / always

Alternately: Nothing lasts forever. All worldly things are transient. Sic transit gloria mundi.

Notes: This yojijukugo is from the famous opening line of the Heike Monogatari:

祇園精舎の鐘の聲、諸行無常の響き有り
(Gion shouja no kane no koe, shogyoumujou no hibiki ari)
(“In the voice of the bells at the Gion Temple, there is an echo of the impermanence of all things.”)

Bells like this one, at Chion-In in Kyoto. Apparently the largest bell. (Source.)