Buddhist term referring to the current, transient world of suffering, as opposed to the Pure Land or the afterlife. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
To escape the suffering of this world, he entered the Buddhist priesthood.
It is taught that this world is impermanent.
Compound of 今 (kon, 'now') and 世界 (sekai, 'world'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is primarily used in Buddhist contexts.