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Tag Archives: Buddhism
If you meet the Buddha on the road, eff him
Is the word “ineffable” a paradox? 不立文字 fu.ryuu.mon.ji Literally: non – stand – sentence – letter Alternately: The Buddhist observation that satori (“understanding,” specifically insight into the true nature of reality) is not something that can be written down or … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, 無門関, description vs experience, the limits of language, Zen koans, 文字, 无门关, 不立
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Just lions having fun!
And… gin? 獅子奮迅 shi.shi.fun.jin Literally: lion – child – vigorous – quick Alternately: Highly-energetic, even violent activity. Doing things in a furious, intense, or overwhelming way. Ferocious, or at least energetic, like a lion. Notes: This phrase apparently comes to … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, 獅子, energy, ferocity, Large Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, linguistic trivia, lion, Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra, translation, 大般若波羅蜜多経, 奮迅, 師子
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If you want good fruit, sleep on it
果報は寝て待て (Kahou wa nete mate; “For good fortune, sleep, wait.”) Definition: Good fortune will come of its own accord, in its own time, so it’s best to prepare and patiently wait for it rather than fretting or trying to force … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Buddhism, karma, Kefukigusa, patience, working and waiting, 寝て待て, 果報, 毛吹草
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Wild horses could, in fact, drag it out of me
意馬心猿 i.ba.shin.en Literally: mind – horse – heart – monkey Alternately: This Buddhist phrase expresses how it is difficult to control oneself and detach from the illusory material world because worldly desires, false beliefs, and mental pollution such as hatred … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, 維摩経, difficulties, klesha, Tun‐huang, worldly desires, Zhouyi cantong qi, 参同契, 心猿, 意馬, 敦煌偏文集, 橋本関雪
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You can lead a horse to sutras
縁なき衆生は度し難し (En naki shujou wa do shigatashi; “It’s hard for the Buddha to save those who do not know the Buddha”) Definition: People who don’t heed advice or warnings are very hard to help. Salvation is difficult for those who … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Buddhism, 衆生, Lotus Sutra, salvation, social distancing, unsalvageable, 度する, 法華経, 仏縁
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Leaves from the vine
愛別離苦 ai.betsu.ri.ku Literally: love – separate – detach – suffering Alternately: The pain of being separated from your loved ones. This is one of the “eight sufferings” of 四苦八苦. Notes: The separation in question is most often due to the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged airbender, bereavement, Buddhism, 苦, Nirvana Sutra, separation, suffering, 別離, 大般涅槃経, 愛
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Fishing for tsuris
四苦八苦 shi.ku.ha-.kku Literally: four – suffering – eight – suffering Alternately: Deep distress, terrible hardship, anguish, malaise. The very bad feels. Notes: You might think, as I did, that this phrase is nothing more than a doubling for effect, but … Continue reading
‘Tis the season
…and the age. 私利私欲 shi.ri.shi.yoku Literally: me/private – benefit/profit – me/private – desire/greed Alternately: One’s own profit; one’s own greed. The self-centered attitude or behavior of someone who is motivated by avarice over all else. Notes: 欲 may also be … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, commercialism, 私利, 私慾, 私欲, greed, selfishness, 我利
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Power is small things in large numbers
一粒万倍 ichi.ryuu.man.bai Literally: one – particle – ten thousand – times (as in multiplication) Alternately: From something tiny, a huge profit. By extension, an admonition not to look down on small or simple things, because even the most humble appearance … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged accumulate, Buddhism, goodness, layers, power, profit, rice, 報恩経, 一粒, 万倍
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Consider the lotus of the pond
It toils and spins SO HARD 難行苦行 nan.gyou.ku.gyou Literally: difficult – go / undertaking – suffering – go / undertaking Alternately: Extreme difficulties or suffering. In particular, this describes when someone is enduring privation and hardship as part of (Buddhist) … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, difficulties, 苦行, 難行, hard work, Lotus Sutra, starvation, 妙法蓮華経
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