Tag Archives: Buddhism

Power is small things in large numbers

Posted on October 23, 2019 by

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 →

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Consider the lotus of the pond

Posted on July 17, 2019 by

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 →

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A real eye-opener

Posted on May 29, 2019 by

開眼供養 kai.gen.ku.you Literally: open – eyeball – offer – nurture Alternately: This is the name of a Buddhist ceremony in which the eyes are added to a Buddhist sculpture or image, completing it and investing it with a soul. By … Continue reading →

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Zen and the art of shining a footlight

Posted on May 15, 2019 by

脚下照顧 kya-.kka.shou.ko Literally: leg – below – illuminate – look back Alternately: Make time to look within. More literally, “make sure to look carefully under your own feet.” 照顧 is a Zen Buddhist term for consideration, reflection, introspection. This is … Continue reading →

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Worse than the Hounds of Tindalos

Posted on April 14, 2019 by

煩悩の犬は追えども去らず (Bonnou no inu wa oedomo sarazu; “Even if you drive out the hounds of earthly urges, they don’t go away”) Definition: Earthly desires will remain with you even if, and no matter how many times, you suppress them. The … Continue reading →

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The playground of Tengu!

Posted on July 18, 2018 by

天上天下 ten.jou.ten.ge Literally: heavens – up – heavens – down Alternately: The world above the sky (the heavens) and the world below the sky (the earth). Also, the space between heaven and earth. The whole world. Notes: Reading 下 as … Continue reading →

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Written on the 4th of July

Posted on July 11, 2018 by

(I searched for phrases using 独 because of the 独立記念日.) 唯我独尊 yui.ga.doku.son Literally: only – self – alone – precious Alternately: Thinking that oneself is the best in the world. Being so self-assured that you don’t listen to anyone else. … Continue reading →

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