also: しゃくぜん
accumulation of good deeds
A Buddhist-influenced term for the piling up of virtuous acts over time, often with the idea that this brings good fortune. Contrasts with 積悪 (accumulation of evil deeds).
See also: 積悪
A family that accumulates good deeds will surely have lasting blessings.
彼は日々の小さな親切を積善と考えている。
He considers daily small kindnesses as an accumulation of good deeds.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading せきぜん is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than せきぜん.
From 積 (accumulate) + 善 (good). The reading せきぜん is the standard Sino-Japanese reading; しゃくぜん is a less common variant.