also: えはつ · えはち
noun
monk's robe and bowl; transmission of the dharma
Original Buddhist meaning: the robe and bowl are key possessions of a monk, symbolizing the transmission of teachings from master to disciple in Zen. The figurative sense refers to the passing on of the dharma itself.
師匠から弟子へ衣鉢を継ぐ儀式が行われた。
A ceremony was held to transmit the robe and bowl from master to disciple.
禅宗では、衣鉢の伝授が法の継承を意味する。
In Zen Buddhism, the transmission of the robe and bowl signifies the succession of the dharma.
noun
mysteries of one's master's art; secret teachings
Extended from the Buddhist sense, used to refer to the secret techniques or essential knowledge passed from a master to a disciple in traditional arts, crafts, or other disciplines.
彼は師の衣鉢を継いで、一流の陶芸家になった。
He succeeded to his master's secret techniques and became a first-rate potter.
その料理人は、先代から衣鉢を受け継いだ味を守
That chef preserves the flavors handed down as secret teachings from the previous generation.
Alternate reading; less common than いはつ.
伝授 refers to the act of transmitting knowledge or skills, while 衣鉢 specifically implies the inheritance of a master's core secrets or the symbolic items representing that transmission.
奥義 are the secret principles or deepest techniques themselves, whereas 衣鉢 emphasizes the lineage and the act of passing them down.
From Middle Chinese 衣鉢 (MC 'j+j pwat), literally 'robe and bowl', referring to the symbolic items passed from a Buddhist master to a disciple. The extended sense of 'secret teachings' developed in Japanese.