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垂示 (すいし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

垂すい示し

also: すいじ

Meanings

1

noun

instruction; teaching; explanation

General term for imparting knowledge or guidance; can be used in educational or explanatory settings.

先せん生せいの垂すい示しに従したがって実じっ験けんを進すすめた。
We proceeded with the experiment following the teacher's instructions.

2

noun

Zen priest's sermon

Buddhism

Specifically a sermon or teaching delivered by a Zen Buddhist priest; a domain-specific religious term.

禅ぜん寺でらで住じゅう職しょくの垂すい示しを聴ちょう聞もんした。
I listened to the chief priest's sermon at the Zen temple.

Written forms

垂示Usage100%
- すいし
  Standard kanji form; the reading すいじ is also attested but less common.
- すいじ
  Alternate reading; mainly encountered in older or specialized Buddhist contexts.

すいじ

Kanji

垂droop, suspend, hang
示show, indicate, point out

Similar words

教きょう示じ
教示 is a more common word for instruction or teaching, while 垂示 is rarer and carries a slightly more formal or literary tone, especially in non-Buddhist contexts.
説せっ教きょう
説教 is a general term for a sermon or preaching, not limited to Zen Buddhism, whereas 垂示 specifically refers to a Zen priest's sermon.

Etymology

The kanji 垂 means 'to hang down' or 'to bestow', and 示 means 'to show' or 'to indicate'. Together they convey the idea of bestowing instruction or guidance. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is used in both general and Buddhist contexts.