also: しょうほう
true dharma; true teachings of Buddha
Buddhist term referring to the authentic teachings of the Buddha, as opposed to distorted or provisional teachings.
It is the duty of monks to protect and transmit the true dharma.
age of the true law
In Buddhist cosmology, the first of the three ages after a Buddha's death, during which the true teachings are still practiced and enlightenment is possible. Often contrasted with 像法 (age of the semblance dharma) and 末法 (age of the degenerate dharma).
See also: 三時
It is said that many people attained enlightenment during the age of the true law.
Standard kanji spelling. Reading しょうぼう is the most common for Buddhist contexts.
Alternate reading, less common but still encountered in Buddhist texts.
From Middle Chinese 正法 (tsyengH pjop), meaning 'true law' or 'correct doctrine'. The term was adopted into Japanese Buddhist vocabulary with the same meaning.