Translation guide
The religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha. In Japanese, the most common term is 仏教 (bukkyō), but related concepts like Buddhist temples, statues, and practices have their own specific vocabulary.
Referring to Buddhism as a whole, as a religion or philosophical system.
The standard, neutral term for Buddhism. Used in all contexts, from academic to everyday conversation.
He practices Buddhism.
Refers to the Buddha's teachings or the Buddhist law/dharma. More formal and often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
Literally 'the way of the Buddha'. Refers to the path of Buddhist practice or the Buddhist way of life. Often used in spiritual or literary contexts.
Referring to a place of worship in Buddhism.
I visited a Buddhist temple. · There's a famous temple in Kyoto.
The most common word for a Buddhist temple. Can be used alone or as a suffix (e.g., 清水寺 Kiyomizu-dera).
Referring to a statue of the Buddha or a Buddhist deity.
A statue or image of the Buddha. The standard term for any Buddhist statue.
Referring to a person who has devoted their life to Buddhist practice.
A general term for a Buddhist priest or monk. Neutral and widely used.
Referring to the sacred texts of Buddhism.
The common term for Buddhist sutras or scriptures. The honorific prefix お makes it polite.
Referring to the household altar where ancestors are honored and Buddhist rites are performed.
Referring to rites performed for the deceased according to Buddhist tradition.
寺 (tera) is a Buddhist temple, while 神社 (jinja) is a Shinto shrine. They are distinct religious sites with different architecture and practices. Buddhism and Shinto coexist in Japan, but the terms are not interchangeable.
There are many temples and shrines in Kyoto.
English often uses 'Buddhist' as an adjective (Buddhist temple, Buddhist priest), but Japanese uses specific nouns. Avoid literal translations like 仏教の寺; instead use the dedicated word 寺.
Buddhism originated in India.
仏法を学ぶために寺に通っている。
I go to the temple to study the Buddha's teachings.
彼は仏道に精進している。
He devotes himself to the Buddhist path.
I went to visit a temple over the weekend.
There are many old temples in this town.
A more formal term for a Buddhist temple, often used in official names or written descriptions.
That temple is designated as a national treasure.
This Buddhist statue is from the Nara period.
I saw a beautiful Buddha statue at the museum.
The monk is chanting sutras.
A polite and friendly term for a Buddhist priest. Commonly used in everyday speech.
Why don't you talk to the priest about it?
A casual or sometimes slightly derogatory term for a Buddhist priest. Can also mean 'kid' or 'boy' in other contexts.
Can be rude if used directly to a priest. Use with care.
That monk's sermons are always long.
祖母は毎朝お経を唱える。
My grandmother chants sutras every morning.
A more formal term for Buddhist scriptures, often used in academic or religious contexts.
This scripture was translated from Sanskrit.
A household Buddhist altar. Very common in Japanese homes, used for ancestor veneration.
I put my hands together in prayer at the family altar every morning.
A Buddhist-style funeral or ceremony. Often used to distinguish from Shinto or Christian rites.
The funeral was conducted in the Buddhist style.