Tag Archives: Buddhism

I see your Aeschylan harpies

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Confanity

And raise you LOVELY OPERA HARPIES 迦陵頻伽 ka.ryou.bin.ga Literally: “ka” (this character is only used phonetically) – imperial tomb – repeatedly – attend Alternately: A beautiful voice, or a person (especially a woman) who possesses one. This phrase refers to … Continue reading →

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You want me to shave *what*?

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Confanity

Ohhh, it’s a metaphor. (My deepest apologies to my readers! On Sunday, in place of the regularly-scheduled kotowaza, I instead posted a song as a joke. At the time I promised that the real thing – which had already been almost … Continue reading →

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Ask an evil question…

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Confanity

悪因悪果 aku.in.a-.kka Literally: evil – cause – evil – fruit Alternately: Evil deeds have evil effects. From bad comes bad. Misfortune and suffering follow misdeeds. Notes: Originally derived from Buddhist teachings (specifically the 117th verse of the Dhammapada, this compound … Continue reading →

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Too mad right now to come up with a witty title

Posted on December 3, 2017 by Confanity

I literally searched for kotowaza about betrayal 獅子身中の虫 (Shishi shinchuu no mushi; “A bug in a lion”) Definition: Someone ostensibly a member of an organization who nonetheless causes it harm. Someone who rewards kindness with enmity. Like a parasite living … Continue reading →

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Whee!

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Confanity

I only used to have nine pen! 有為転変 u.i.ten.pen Literally: exist – do / change – turn – strange Alternately: Everything in the world is in a constant state of flux. Everything changes; nothing stays the same. A Buddhist comment … Continue reading →

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The law of cause and fruit

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Confanity

Continuing the theme from Sunday’s kotowaza…. 因果応報 in.ga.ou.hou Literally: cause – fruit / reward – answer – news / reward Alternately: The law of karma. What goes around comes around. What returns to you is good or ill depending on … Continue reading →

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Also about good posture

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Confanity

“And you shall speak of them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.” 行住坐臥 gyou.juu.za.ga Literally: go / walk – reside – sit – lie … Continue reading →

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The topical commentary almost writes itself

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Confanity

鬼の空念仏 ((O)ni no sora-nenbutsu; “An oni‘s empty prayers”) Definition: A cruel and cold-hearted person putting on a show of benevolence, compassion, or charity. A bad person behaving uncharacteristically well. Like a demon making making a big show out of praying, … Continue reading →

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Deep, deep turtle

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Confanity

盲亀浮木 mou.ki.fu.boku Literally: blind – turtle – float – tree Alternately: An incredibly rare event; something nigh-impossibly difficult to find. By implication, something you really should take advantage of while you have the chance. Notes: 盲亀 is, as the characters … Continue reading →

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A Buddhist “Oy Gevalt!”

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Confanity

南無三宝 na.mu.san.bou Literally: phonetic “na” – phonetic “mu” – three – treasure Alternately: Roughly equivalent to “Oh my God!” in Western exclamatory parlance, this phrase is supposedly used to invoke the aid of the Buddha when one has messed up. … Continue reading →

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