also: たんじ · だんじ · たんし
noun
finger snapping (Buddhist gesture)
Buddhist term for snapping the fingers, typically by striking the side of the middle finger with the thumb, used to indicate consent, joy, warning, etc.
禅宗では、弾指は合図の一つとして使われる。
In Zen Buddhism, snapping the fingers is used as one of the signals.
noun
moment; instant (Buddhist time unit)
Buddhist term for a very short moment of time, often described as a fraction of a second.
仏典では、一弾指の間に多くの念が生滅すると説かれる。
In Buddhist scriptures, it is taught that many thoughts arise and cease in a single moment.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
criticism; shunning; rejection
Archaic use; the word could mean criticism or rejection, possibly derived from the gesture of snapping fingers as a dismissive act.
古語では、人を弾指するとは、その人を拒絶することを意味した。
In old language, to 'snap one's fingers at someone' meant to reject that person.