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1. Buddhism
4. Pure Land Buddhism / Jodo Buddhism
8. Zen Buddhism
9. Three Treasures of Buddhism
10. Triple Truth of Japanese Buddhism
11. Kensho Jobutsu - Enlightenment - Path to Buddha
14. Buddha Seeking
16. True Religion / Buddha Truth
17. Buddha Heart / Mind of Buddha
18. Mantra to Buddha / Nembutsu
20. Happy Buddha
21. Amitabha Buddha
佛教 is the more exact way to express the religion or lifestyle of Buddhism.
It can also be read as "Buddha's Teachings". 佛教 is Chinese only, as a different character is more commonly used in Japanese to express Buddhism. The same first character is used in Korea but a slight variation exists in the second character in Korean Hanja. However, it would be fully recognized by any Korean person who can read Hanja.
仏教 can mean Buddha or Buddhism in Japanese.
Depending on context, this word can be used to refer to the religion and lifestyle of Buddhism, or in some cases, the Buddha himself.
Note: Until the 5th century, Japan did not have a written language. At that time, Japan absorbed Chinese characters to form their written language (these characters are known as "Kanji" in Japanese). The first character of this Buddhism title was actually a shorthand way to write 佛 (Buddha) in Chinese (popular around the 13th century). Somehow, this became the version of this character that was absorbed into Japanese, and thus became part of standard Kanji. Centuries later, this character is not recognized in Chinese at all.
仏 is also a rare form of Buddha Korean Hanja - though seldom used even when the Korean Hanja writing system was more common 100 years ago.
佛 is the essence of the Buddha or Buddhism.
Depending on context, this word and character can be used to refer to the religion and lifestyle of Buddhism, or in some cases, the Buddha himself.
It is interesting to note that this word is separate from all others in the Chinese language. The sound of "fo" has only this meaning. 佛 is in contrast to many sounds in the Chinese language which can have one of four tones, and more than 20 possible characters and meanings. This language anomaly shows just how significant Buddhism has affected China since the ancient times.
More about Buddhism
佛 is also used with the same meaning in Korean Hanja.
It's used in the very religious context of Buddhism in Japan. It should be noted that there are two forms of this Kanji in use in Japan - this is the more formal/ancient version but it's rarely seen outside of religious artwork, and may not be recognized by all Japanese people.
It also acts as a suffix or first syllable for many Buddhist-related words in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
See our Buddhism & Zen page
See Also: Bodhisattva | Enlightenment
仏 is the single Japanese Kanji can mean Buddha or Buddhism.
This Kanji was actually a shorthand way to write 佛 (Buddha) in Chinese (popular around the 13th century). Somehow, this became the version of this Chinese character that was absorbed into Japanese, and thus became part of standard Kanji. Centuries later, this character is not recognized in Chinese at all (except by those from China with a background in Chinese literature or language).
仏 is also a rare or derivative Korean Hanja form - but I doubt you will find any Korean that knows that.
淨土宗 is the title of Japanese "Pure Land Buddhism". This form is also romanized/known as "Jodo Shu" (jōdo shū).
Also known as Amidism for the fact that this is a branch of Mahayana (Mahāyāna) Buddhism which focuses on Amitabha (Amitābha) Buddha. This form of Buddhism, along with Chinese characters, came to Japan via China in the 5th century according to most historians.
Notes:
Pure Land Buddhism is also known as (jōdo bukkyō).
Some will just express it with just (Pure Land).
See Also: Shin Buddhism
Known in the west as "Shin Buddhism", this is a school of Japanese "Pure Land Buddhism". This form is also known as "True Pure Land Buddhism" or "Jodoshinshu" (jōdoshinshū).
If you are looking for this title, you probably already know the rest of the story.
See Also: Pure Land Buddhism
轉世 is the Buddhist idea of reincarnation or transmigration.
Other definitions of this term: "Attainer of Nirvana from within the desire realm", "A practitioner who enters directly into Nirvana from the desire realm, without traversing the form and formless realms. One of the 27 kinds of Hinayana sages", or simply, "to return again to this life".
轉世 is also a Japanese title but the first Kanji was slightly simplified after WWII. Just let us know if you want the modern Japanese version when you order.
四諦 is the title of the Four Noble Truths as taught in virtually all sects of Buddhism.
These truths are suffering (dukkha), desire/attachment (samudaya), release from desire/attachment (nirodha), and the path leading away from suffering (magga).
The suggestion behind these truths is that all things in nature suffer. All things in nature have desire and attachment for things in the physical world. The enlightened can release themselves from the bonds of desire and attachment. And finally, once they release all desire and attachment, the enlightened will find a path that leads away from suffering.
This term is exclusively used by devout Buddhists. It is not a common term, and is remains an unknown concept to most Japanese, Chinese, and Korean people.
See Also: Buddhism | Enlightenment
禪宗 is one way to title "Zen Buddhism". Because the original pronunciation of Zen in Chinese is Chan, you'll also see this expressed as Chan Buddhism.
From the Buddhist Dictionary:
The Chan, meditative or intuitional, sect usually said to have been established in China by Bodhidharma, the twenty-eighth patriarch, who brought the tradition of the Buddha-mind from India. This sect, believing in direct enlightenment, disregarded ritual and sūtras and depended upon the inner light and personal influence for the propagation of its tenets, founding itself on the esoteric tradition supposed to have been imparted to Kāśyapa by the Buddha, who indicated his meaning by plucking a flower without further explanation. Kāśyapa smiled in apprehension and is supposed to have passed on this mystic method to the patriarchs. The successor of Bodhidharma was 慧可 Huike, and he was succeeded by 僧璨 Sengcan; 道信 Daoxin; 弘忍 Hongren; 慧能 Huineng, and 神秀 Shenxiu, the sect dividing under the two latter into the southern and northern schools: the southern school became prominent, producing 南嶽 Nanyue and 靑原 Qingyuan, the former succeeded by 馬祖 Mazu, the latter by 石頭 Shitou. From Mazu's school arose the five later schools.
三寶 is the title for "Three Precious Treasures of Buddhism".
These three treasures are the Buddha 佛, the Dharma 法 (teachings or the law of the Buddha), and the Sangha 僧 (the community of monks or followers).
This term is used by most (perhaps not all) Buddhists in China, Japan, and South Korea (written the same it the original form, but pronounced differently in each language). Non-Buddhists may just read this as, "Three Treasures", without the religious context. For instance, there is also a, "Three Treasures of Chinese Medicine", that is sometimes titled the same way.
In modern Japanese and Simplified Chinese, this is written 三宝 instead of 三寶.
This is the Triple Truth of Buddhism in Japanese.
The Buddha ordered that all should know this triple truth...
A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.
人間性を再生するのは寛容な心親切な言葉奉仕と思いやりの精神 is the English translation most commonly used for this Japanese Buddhist phrase. You might have seen this on a coffee cup or tee-shirt.
Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.
見性成仏 or Kenshō Jōbutsu is the initial enlightenment that leads to self-awareness, becoming Buddha, and the path to enter Nirvana.
Kenshō Jōbutsu is a complex concept in Japanese Buddhism. 見性成仏 is probably better translated as "Seeing one’s nature and becoming a Buddha".
See Also: Buddhism | Enlightenment | Initial Enlightenment
This is how to express "The Compassionate Amitabha Buddha" (especially for the Pure Land Buddhist Sect).
Some will translate as, "Homage to Amitâbha Buddha" or "I seek refuge in the Amitâbha Buddha".
This is valid in Chinese characters Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
Sometimes modern Japanese use a different version of the 4th and last Kanji but the version shown here is the most universal.
This is used to pay homage to Amitabha Buddha.
See Also: Bodhisattva | Buddhism | Nirvana
釈迦 is the way to write Shakyamuni in Japanese.
It's just two Kanji, the first is a simplified version of the one used in Chinese for Shakyamuni, and the second one is identical to the Chinese.
This refers to the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama, 563 BCE-483 BCE) also known as Sakyamuni and Gautama Buddha.
This has very good meaning in Japanese but is an odd selection for a wall scroll. It appears here more for reference.
佛心 means the mind of Buddha or the spiritually enlightened heart.
The Buddha Heart is one that is detached from good and evil and other such constructs. The Buddha Heart has mercy, compassion, and loving-kindness for all sentient life, the good, the wicked, and all in between.
The heart and mind (心) are the same concept in the ancient Orient, so you can use heart and mind interchangeably in this context.
念佛 is used primarily in Japanese where it is romanized as nenbutsu.
The meaning is to pray to Buddha, to chant the name of Buddha, or repeat the name of Buddha. This can be an audible or inaudibe chant.
This title can mean the Buddha of the Western paradise.
But it's more a chant that means, "May the lord Buddha preserve us!" or "Merciful Buddha!".
阿彌陀佛 is also a translation to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for, "Amitâbha Buddha".
Asian Buddhists will often greet and say goodbye to each other with this phrase/chant/title.
釋迦牟尼 is a transliteration of "Shakyamuni" or "Sakyamuni" in Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean.
The perceived meaning of the name is roughly translated as, "Sage of the Sakyas".
This same Buddha is also known as "Siddhartha Gautama", "Gotama Buddha", "Tathagata", or simply, "The Supreme Buddha".
釋迦牟尼 is the legendary man and prince who eventually established the Buddhist religion.
Note: Occasionally Romanized as "Siddhattha Gotama".
This combination of characters is sometimes seen and used in South Korea and Japan as well (with the same meaning).
Note: 釋迦牟尼 came from the Sanskrit शाक्यमुनि and can also be romanized with diuretics as Śākyamuni.
見性成佛 is a universal phrase that suggests that one may see one's own nature and accomplish Buddhahood.
見性 suggests penetrating deep inside oneself to finally see one's "Original
Mind".
成佛 refers to a sentient being who dispenses with illusions and delusions
through ascetic practice, is enlightened to truth, and becomes a Buddha.
見性成佛 is used by Mahayana, Chan, and Zen Buddhists in China, Korea, and Japan.
You will also see this with the last character written as 仏 in Japanese. In the religious context, 佛 is commonly used to mean Buddha. If you want the other version, see Kenshō Jōbutsu 見性成仏
南無釋迦牟尼佛 is a Buddhist chant or prayer of respect to the Shakyamuni Buddha.
Some will translate this as the Buddhist vow.
The first two characters, 南無, are sometimes translated as "amen"; others will translate it as, "believe in", or "homage to".
To expand on this, 南無 can also mean, "taking of refuge in", while also representing devotion or conviction. 南無 as with most religious concepts or words, different people or denominations will have varying definitions.
This in-stock artwork might be what you are looking for, and ships right away...
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Buddhism | 佛教 | fó jiào / fo2 jiao4 / fo jiao / fojiao | fo chiao / fochiao | |
Buddhism | 仏教 | bukkyou / bukyo | ||
Buddhism Buddha | 佛 | hotoke | fó / fo2 / fo | |
Buddha Buddhism | 仏 / 佛 仏 | hotoke / butsu | ||
Pure Land Buddhism Jodo Buddhism | 淨土宗 浄土宗 | jou do shuu joudoshuu jo do shu jodoshu | jìng tǔ zōng jing4 tu3 zong1 jing tu zong jingtuzong | ching t`u tsung chingtutsung ching tu tsung |
Shin Buddhism | 浄土真宗 | jou do shin shuu joudoshinshuu jo do shin shu jodoshinshu | ||
Reincarnation (Buddhism) | 轉世 转世 | ten sei / tensei | zhuǎn shì zhuan3 shi4 zhuan shi zhuanshi | chuan shih chuanshih |
Four Noble Truths (Buddhism) | 四諦 四谛 | shitai | sì dì / si4 di4 / si di / sidi | ssu ti / ssuti |
Zen Buddhism | 禪宗 禅宗 | zen shuu / zenshuu / zen shu / zenshu | chán zōng chan2 zong1 chan zong chanzong | ch`an tsung chantsung chan tsung |
Three Treasures of Buddhism | 三寶 三宝 | san bou / sanbou / san bo / sanbo | sān bǎo / san1 bao3 / san bao / sanbao | san pao / sanpao |
Triple Truth of Japanese Buddhism | 人間性を再生するのは寛容な心親切な言葉奉仕と思いやりの精神 | ningensei o saisei suruno wa kanyou na kokoro shinsetsu na kotoba houshi to omoi yari no seishin ningensei o saisei suruno wa kanyo na kokoro shinsetsu na kotoba hoshi to omoi yari no seishin ningenseiosaiseisurunowakanyonakokoroshinsetsunakotobahoshitoomoiyarinoseishin | ||
Kensho Jobutsu - Enlightenment - Path to Buddha | 見性成佛 見性成仏 | ken shou jou butsu kenshoujoubutsu ken sho jo butsu kenshojobutsu | ||
Namo Amitabha Buddha | 南無阿彌陀佛 南无阿弥陀佛 | namu amida butsu namuamidabutsu | nā mó ē mí tuó fó na1 mo2 e1 mi2 tuo2 fo2 na mo e mi tuo fo namoemituofo | na mo o mi t`o fo namoomitofo na mo o mi to fo |
The Aura of Buddha | 佛光 | bukkou / buko | fó guāng / fo2 guang1 / fo guang / foguang | fo kuang / fokuang |
Buddha Seeking | 勤求 | gongu | qín qiú / qin2 qiu2 / qin qiu / qinqiu | ch`in ch`iu / chinchiu / chin chiu |
Shakyamuni The Buddha | 釈迦 | sha ka / shaka | shì jiā / shi4 jia1 / shi jia / shijia | shih chia / shihchia |
True Religion Buddha Truth | 實道 实道 | jitsu dou / jitsudou / jitsu do / jitsudo | shí dào / shi2 dao4 / shi dao / shidao | shih tao / shihtao |
Buddha Heart Mind of Buddha | 佛心 | busshin / bushin | fó xīn / fo2 xin1 / fo xin / foxin | fo hsin / fohsin |
Mantra to Buddha Nembutsu | 念佛 | nenbutsu | niàn fó / nian4 fo2 / nian fo / nianfo | nien fo / nienfo |
The Eye of the Buddha | 佛眼 佛眼 / 仏眼 | butsugen / butsugen | wǔ yǎn / wu3 yan3 / wu yan / wuyan | wu yen / wuyen |
Happy Buddha | 歡喜光佛 欢喜光佛 | kan gi kou butsu kangikoubutsu kan gi ko butsu kangikobutsu | huān xǐ guāng fó huan1 xi3 guang1 fo2 huan xi guang fo huanxiguangfo | huan hsi kuang fo huanhsikuangfo |
Amitabha Buddha | 阿彌陀佛 阿弥陀佛 | amida butsu amidabutsu | ē mí tuó fó e1 mi2 tuo2 fo2 e mi tuo fo emituofo | o mi t`o fo omitofo o mi to fo |
Shakyamuni The Buddha | 釋迦牟尼 释迦牟尼 | sha ka mu ni shakamuni | shì jiā móu ní shi4 jia1 mou2 ni2 shi jia mou ni shijiamouni | shih chia mou ni shihchiamouni |
Seeing one’s Nature and becoming a Buddha | 見性成佛 见性成佛 | ken shou jou butsu kenshoujoubutsu ken sho jo butsu kenshojobutsu | jiàn xìng chéng fó jian4 xing4 cheng2 fo2 jian xing cheng fo jianxingchengfo | chien hsing ch`eng fo chienhsingchengfo chien hsing cheng fo |
Namo Shakyamuni Buddha | 南無釋迦牟尼佛 南无释迦牟尼佛 | namu shakamuni butsu namushakamunibutsu | nán wú shì jiā móu ní fó nan2 wu2 shi4 jia1 mou2 ni2 fo2 nan wu shi jia mou ni fo nanwushijiamounifo | nan wu shih chia mou ni fo nanwushihchiamounifo |
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
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The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
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We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.
Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.
There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form
of art alive.
Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.
The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.
Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.
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