精しょう進じん

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

diligence; devotion; concentration

Refers to wholehearted effort and single-minded dedication, often toward a skill, study, or personal goal. Carries a serious, sometimes spiritual tone.

• 彼かれは毎まい日にち、書しょ道どうの精しょう進じんを欠かかさない。

  He never misses his daily calligraphy practice, devoting himself to it.

• 精しょう進じんを重かさねて、ついに師し範はんの資し格かくを得えた。

  Through years of diligent effort, he finally obtained his instructor's license.

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

ascetic practice; Buddhist striving

Specifically Buddhist: rigorous self-discipline and zeal in pursuing enlightenment, often involving meditation and moral purification. Cross-referenced with 六波羅蜜 (the six perfections).

See also: 六波羅蜜

• 僧そう侶りょは山やまにこもって精しょう進じんに励はげんだ。

  The monk secluded himself in the mountains and devoted himself to ascetic practice.

• 精しょう進じんとは、悟さとりを求もとめて努ど力りょくを続つづけることです。

  Shōjin means continuing to strive in the quest for enlightenment.

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

vegetarian diet (Buddhist)

Refers to the traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine that avoids meat and pungent vegetables. Often used in the phrase 精進料理 (shōjin ryōri).

• 祖そ母ぼは毎まい月つき一つい日たちだけ精しょう進じんをしている。

  My grandmother observes a vegetarian diet for one day each month.

• 精しょう進じん料りょう理りは、肉にくや魚さかなを使つかわない伝でん統とう的てきな日本にほん料りょう理りです。

  Shōjin ryōri is a traditional Japanese cuisine that uses no meat or fish.