五ご衰すい

noun

five signs of the impending death of a heavenly being

Buddhist term referring to the five physical signs that appear when a deva (heavenly being) is about to die and be reborn in a lower realm. Often encountered in classical Buddhist texts and discussions of impermanence.

• 仏ぶっ典てんには、天てん人にんが五ご衰すいを現げんすと説とかれている。

  Buddhist scriptures teach that heavenly beings manifest the five signs of decay.

• 五ご衰すいの相そうは、天てん人にんの死し期きが近ちかいことを示しめす。

  The five signs of decay indicate that a deva's death is near.