The Japanese noun hotoke (仏) is a word of Buddhist origin and uncertain
etymology.[1] It has several meanings, all but a few directly linked to
Buddhism. It can refer to:
A person who has achieved satori (state of enlightenment) and has therefore become a "buddha".[1] (In Buddhism, the term "buddha" in the lower case refers to a person who has become enlightened (i.e., awakened to the truth).)[2][note 1]
Figuratively, the performing of a Buddhist memorial service. The Eiga Monogatari for example contains a sentence in which the term is used in that sense.[1]
In common parlance, a dead person; someone's soul[1]
Figuratively, a benevolent person or someone dear to one's heart[1]
^The term is also sometimes used to represent Buddhism as a whole. For example, the expression "kami and hotoke" (神と仏) draws a distinction between Japanese kami and the enlightened beings of foreign Buddhism.
References
^
abcdefghiIwanami
Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version
^New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd edition, 2005, Oxford University Press, Inc.
The Japanese noun hotoke (仏) is a word of Buddhist origin and uncertain
etymology.[1] It has several meanings, all but a few directly linked to
Buddhism. It can refer to:
A person who has achieved satori (state of enlightenment) and has therefore become a "buddha".[1] (In Buddhism, the term "buddha" in the lower case refers to a person who has become enlightened (i.e., awakened to the truth).)[2][note 1]
Figuratively, the performing of a Buddhist memorial service. The Eiga Monogatari for example contains a sentence in which the term is used in that sense.[1]
In common parlance, a dead person; someone's soul[1]
Figuratively, a benevolent person or someone dear to one's heart[1]
^The term is also sometimes used to represent Buddhism as a whole. For example, the expression "kami and hotoke" (神と仏) draws a distinction between Japanese kami and the enlightened beings of foreign Buddhism.
References
^
abcdefghiIwanami
Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version
^New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd edition, 2005, Oxford University Press, Inc.