権ごん化げ

noun

incarnation (of Buddha or bodhisattva); avatar

Buddhist term for a temporary manifestation of a Buddha or bodhisattva in a form that can be perceived by sentient beings. Compare 実化, which refers to a real physical birth.

See also: 実化

• 観かん音のん菩ぼ薩さつは衆しゅ生じょうを救すくうために様さま々ざまな権ごん化げとして現あらわれるとされる。

  Kannon Bodhisattva is said to appear in various incarnations to save sentient beings.

noun

embodiment; incarnation; personification

Figurative use: someone or something that perfectly represents a quality, often negative. Common in phrases like 悪の権化 (embodiment of evil).

• 彼かれはまるで悪あくの権ごん化げのような振ふる舞まいをした。

  He acted as if he were the embodiment of evil.

• あの政せい治じ家かは腐ふ敗はいの権ごん化げだと批ひ判はんされている。

  That politician is criticized as the personification of corruption.