発ほつ願がん

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, transitive verb

Buddhist vow; arousing the aspiration for enlightenment

Buddhist term for making a vow to attain enlightenment and save all beings. Often used in the context of bodhisattva practice.

• 菩ぼ薩さつは衆しゅ生じょうを救すくうために発ほつ願がんした。

  The bodhisattva made a vow to save all sentient beings.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb, transitive verb

prayer; making a vow; praying

General, non-Buddhist use for making a heartfelt wish or vow, often to a deity or in a personal commitment.

• 彼かれは合ごう格かくを発ほつ願がんして神じん社じゃに参まいった。

  He visited the shrine to pray for passing the exam.

• 彼かの女じょは禁きん煙えんを発ほつ願がんした。

  She made a vow to quit smoking.