noun
skillful means; upaya
Buddhist term for the Buddha's skillful methods of teaching according to the audience's capacity. Honorific language.
See also: 方便
仏教では、御方便によって衆生を導くと説かれる。
In Buddhism, it is taught that sentient beings are guided through skillful means.
noun
convenience; suitability; availability
General use meaning something is convenient, suitable, or available. Often used in polite contexts.
お時間の御方便はいかがですか。
What time would be convenient for you?
御方便な場所に住んでいます。
I live in a convenient location.
方便 is the base word without the honorific prefix 御. It shares the Buddhist meaning and the general 'convenience' sense, but 御方便 is more polite.
Compound of honorific prefix 御 (ご) and 方便 (ほうべん), a Buddhist term originally meaning 'expedient means' and later extended to general convenience.