worldly desires; attachment to the secular world
Often used in Buddhist or literary contexts to describe lingering attachment to worldly pleasures and concerns, especially when contrasted with spiritual detachment. The word carries a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone.
Even after becoming a monk, some people cannot rid themselves of worldly desires.
His attachment to the secular world showed itself in his obsession with money and fame.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling. The reading しゃばっけ is the most common.
Variant with katakana ッ. Less common but seen.
From 娑婆 (しゃば, 'this world' or 'the secular world', from Sanskrit sahā) + 気 (け, 'feeling' or 'spirit'). The small っ is a euphonic insertion. The word literally means 'the spirit of the secular world'.