Translation guide
Refers to the sacred texts of Buddhism. The most common term is お経 (おきょう), which is used in everyday and religious contexts. More formal or specific terms exist for different canons or collections.
The learner wants to refer to Buddhist scriptures in a general, everyday context, such as when talking about chanting or reading sutras.
The most common and neutral term. The honorific prefix お makes it polite and standard. Used for chanting, reading, or referring to sutras in daily life.
My grandmother chants Buddhist scriptures every morning.
お経の意味は難しい。
The meaning of Buddhist scriptures is difficult.
A more formal term, often used in academic or written contexts. Can refer to scriptures of any religion, but in Buddhist context it means sutras.
仏教の経典は数多く存在する。
There are many Buddhist scriptures.
A shorter, more technical term. Often used in compound words or specific sutra names. Can sound abrupt if used alone in conversation.
般若心経は有名な経だ。
The Heart Sutra is a famous scripture.
The learner wants to refer to a particular Buddhist scripture by name or to a collection like the Pali Canon.
Even for specific sutras, お経 is often used in conversation when the name is clear from context.
今日は般若心経のお経を唱えた。
Today I chanted the Heart Sutra.
Used for specific scriptures in formal or academic settings.
Used in the names of specific sutras, often as a suffix. For example, 般若心経 (Heart Sutra), 法華経 (Lotus Sutra).
彼は毎日法華経を読誦する。
He recites the Lotus Sutra every day.
The learner wants to refer to the entire collection of Buddhist scriptures, such as the Pali Canon or the Chinese canon.
Refers to the complete Buddhist canon, especially in East Asian Buddhism. Literally 'all sutras'.
一切経は膨大な量の経典を含む。
The Buddhist canon contains a vast number of scriptures.
Specifically refers to the Tripitaka (three baskets): sutras, vinaya, and abhidharma. More technical.
お経 is the everyday word for Buddhist scriptures, used in conversation and when talking about chanting. 経典 is more formal and often used in writing or academic discussions. If you're unsure, お経 is safe in most situations.
The English phrase 'Buddhist scriptures' might be directly translated as 仏教の聖典 (ぶっきょうのせいてん), but this is not commonly used in natural Japanese. Stick to お経 or 経典 unless you specifically mean 'sacred texts' in a comparative religion context.
法華経は大乗仏教の重要な経典である。
The Lotus Sutra is an important scripture in Mahayana Buddhism.
Another term for the Buddhist canon, often used for the Chinese Tripitaka. Literally 'Great Storehouse Sutra'.
大蔵経は仏教の聖典の集大成だ。
The Tripitaka is a compendium of Buddhist sacred texts.
三蔵は経・律・論から成る。
The Tripitaka consists of sutras, vinaya, and abhidharma.