also: ひょうひゃく
noun
declaration of purpose in a Buddhist service; stating the intent of a ceremony before the altar
A formal Buddhist term for the priest's declaration of the service's purpose to Buddha and the congregation. Used in ritual contexts.
法要の始めに、僧侶が表白を読み上げた。
At the beginning of the memorial service, the priest read out the declaration of purpose.
The term is composed of 表 (to express) and 白 (to state), reflecting its use in Buddhist liturgy. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.