五ご大だい

noun

the five elements (earth, water, fire, wind, void)

Buddhist term for the five elements in Japanese philosophy: earth, water, fire, wind, and void. Compare with 五行 (ごぎょう), the Chinese-derived five elements.

See also: 五行 (ごぎょう)

• 仏ぶっ教きょうでは、五ご大だいは地ち・水すい・火か・風ふう・空くうを指さす。

  In Buddhism, the five elements refer to earth, water, fire, wind, and void.

noun

five great wisdom kings

Abbreviation of 五大明王 (ごだいみょうおう), the five great wisdom kings in esoteric Buddhism. Rare standalone use; usually encountered in the full compound.

See also: 五大明王

• 「五ご大だい」は五ご大だい明みょう王おうの略りゃく称しょうとして使つかわれることがある。

  五大 is sometimes used as an abbreviation for the five great wisdom kings.