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The Japanese noun {{nihongo|'''hotoke'''|仏}}<ref group="note">Note that the very same ''[[kanji]]'' 仏 in modern Japanese can be also read ''futsu'', but is often used as an abbreviation for the word "furansu", or France. It is the first of three characters used to write the name of that country ({{nihongo|仏蘭西|fu-ran-su}}), in a somewhat uncommon practice called ''[[ateji]]'', in which ''kanji'' are matched to the phonetic sound of a word with little regard for the indicative meaning of the ''kanji''.</ref> is a word of Buddhist origin and uncertain [[etymology]]. It has several meanings, all but a few directly linked to [[Buddhism in Japan|Buddhism]]. |
The Japanese noun {{nihongo|'''hotoke'''|仏}}<ref group="note">Note that the very same ''[[kanji]]'' 仏 in modern Japanese can be also read ''futsu'', but is often used as an abbreviation for the word "furansu", or France. It is the first of three characters used to write the name of that country ({{nihongo|仏蘭西|fu-ran-su}}), in a somewhat uncommon practice called ''[[ateji]]'', in which ''kanji'' are matched to the phonetic sound of a word with little regard for the indicative meaning of the ''kanji''.</ref> is a word of Buddhist origin and uncertain [[etymology]].{{citation needed}} It has several meanings, all but a few directly linked to [[Buddhism in Japan|Buddhism]].{{citation needed}} |
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==Toward A Working Definition== |
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The term can be applied to the [[laws]] of [[Buddhism]]<ref name="ik"/> as well as a person who has achieved ''[[satori]]'' (state of enlightenment) and has therefore become a "buddha".<ref name="ik">Iwanami {{nihongo|[[Kōjien]]|広辞苑}} Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version</ref> (In Buddhism, the term "buddha" in the lower case refers to a person who has become enlightened (i.e., awakened to the truth).)<ref>New Oxford American Dictionary 2nd edition, 2005, Oxford University Press, Inc.</ref><ref group="note">The term is also sometimes used to represent Buddhism as a whole. For example, the expression {{nihongo|"''kami'' and ''hotoke''"|神と仏}} draws a distinction between the Japanese ''kami'' of [[Shinto]] belief and the enlightened beings of foreign Buddhism.</ref> |
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*The historical [[Gautama Buddha]] himself<ref name="ik"/> |
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*The statue or the name of a buddha<ref name="ik"/> |
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The historical [[Gautama Buddha]] himself<ref name="ik"/> was called Hotoke, as well as being the term used for statues of buddhas<ref name="ik"/> |
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*The laws of Buddhism<ref name="ik"/> |
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*The performing of a Buddhist memorial service<ref name="ik"/> |
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==Other Uses== |
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In common parlance, a dead person; his or her soul<ref name="ik"/> |
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*Figuratively, a benevolent person or someone dear to one's heart<ref name="ik"/> |
*Figuratively, a benevolent person or someone dear to one's heart<ref name="ik"/> |
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*''Hotoke'' can also be a person's name or a nickname. It is for example a [[Shirabyōshi#Gi.C5.8D_and_Hotoke|female character]] in the [[Heike Monogatari]]<ref name="ik"/> and [[daimyō]] [[Kōriki Kiyonaga]]'s nickname. |
*''Hotoke'' can also be a person's name or a nickname. It is for example a [[Shirabyōshi#Gi.C5.8D_and_Hotoke|female character]] in the [[Heike Monogatari]]<ref name="ik"/> and [[daimyō]] [[Kōriki Kiyonaga]]'s nickname. |
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Revision as of 13:02, 7 December 2011
The Japanese noun hotoke (仏)[note 1] is a word of Buddhist origin and uncertain etymology.[citation needed] It has several meanings, all but a few directly linked to Buddhism.[citation needed]
Toward A Working Definition
The term can be applied to the laws of Buddhism[1] as well as 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 2]
The historical Gautama Buddha himself[1] was called Hotoke, as well as being the term used for statues of buddhas[1]
Other Uses
In common parlance, a dead person; his or her soul[1]
- Figuratively, a benevolent person or someone dear to one's heart[1]
- Hotoke can also be a person's name or a nickname. It is for example a female character in the Heike Monogatari[1] and daimyō Kōriki Kiyonaga's nickname.
Notes
- ^ Note that the very same kanji 仏 in modern Japanese can be also read futsu, but is often used as an abbreviation for the word "furansu", or France. It is the first of three characters used to write the name of that country (仏蘭西 (fu-ran-su)), in a somewhat uncommon practice called ateji, in which kanji are matched to the phonetic sound of a word with little regard for the indicative meaning of the kanji.
- ^ 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 the Japanese kami of Shinto belief and the enlightened beings of foreign Buddhism.