also: じしゅう
noun
assembly of monks and laity
Buddhist term for a gathering of both ordained monks and laypeople at a religious event such as a rite or sermon.
法要には多くの時衆が集まった。
Many monks and laypeople gathered for the memorial service.
noun
Jishū sect (monks and laity)
Refers to the followers of the Jishū (時宗) sect of Japanese Buddhism, founded by Ippen. Often used collectively for its monks and lay adherents.
See also: 時宗
時衆の教えは一遍上人によって広められた。
The teachings of the Jishū sect were spread by Saint Ippen.
時宗 is the standard name for the Jishū sect, while 時衆 refers to its followers or the assembly of monks and laity.
From 時 (ji, 'time') and 衆 (shu, 'multitude' or 'assembly'). The term originally referred to a gathering of people at a specific time for Buddhist practice, later becoming associated with the Jishū sect.