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Tag Archives: Buddhism
Orthogrothy
Giving heterodox doctrines a bit of what-for 破邪顕正ha.ja.ken.shou Literally: destroy – wicked / injustice – express / reveal – correct / justice Alternately: The Buddhist concept of breaking down that which is wrong, bad, or untrue, and making the truth … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, 破邪, 顕正, ορθογροθιά, orthodoxy, right & wrong, Sanlun, 三論玄義
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A Scandanavian problem
惚れたが因果(Horeta ga inga;“The lover’s lot is karma”) Definition: For someone who has fallen in love, suffering because of it is an unavoidable part of human existence. When one is in love, pain is an inevitable result – in part due … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Buddhism, Iroha karuta, karma, love is sad, suffering, 因果, 惚れた
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Make sure you get your ball back afterwards
一球入魂 i-.kkyuu.nyuu.kon Literally: one – sphere – enter / insert – soul Alternately: This phrase from the world of baseball refers to putting your full energy and focus into each action; specifically, putting everything you can into each throw of … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, heart and soul, maximum effort, suddenly baseball, Yowamushi Pedaru, 入魂, 全力, 弱虫ペダル, 一球, 一蹴
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May it be a light to you in dark places
…when all other lights go out – JRRT, FotR 長者の万灯より貧者の一灯(Chouja no mantou yori hinja no ittou;“A pauper’s single light is greater than a rich man’s ten thousand.”) Definition: There is greater honor in a poor person sincerely giving what they … Continue reading
The quick and the subtle
当意即妙 tou.i.soku.myou Literally: appropriate – mind / idea – instant – strange / delicate Alternately: Clever; quick-thinking. Able to handle a situation (appropriately!) as soon as it arises. Notes: This configuration is based on the Buddhist phrase 当位即妙. In this … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, four elements, quick grasp, quick wit, understanding, 即妙, 当意, 当位
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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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