三さん悪あく

noun

three evil realms; three lower worlds

Buddhist term, often an abbreviation of 三悪道. Refers to the three lower realms of rebirth: hell, hungry ghosts, and animals. Used in doctrinal or literary contexts.

See also: 三悪道 (さんあくどう)

• 仏ぶっ教きょうでは、三さん悪あくに落おちないように善ぜん行ぎょうを積つむことが説とかれる。

  In Buddhism, it is taught that one should accumulate good deeds so as not to fall into the three evil realms.

noun

three social evils

Only with reading さんあく

Refers specifically to prostitution, drugs, and venereal diseases as social ills. This usage is limited to the reading さんあく and is not common in everyday conversation.

• 戦せん後ごの混こん乱らん期きには、三さん悪あくと呼よばれる社しゃ会かい問もん題だいが深しん刻こく化かした。

  In the chaotic post-war period, social problems called the three evils became more serious.