Japanese word

経

Pronunciation

Romajikyō

Meaning

  • nounsutra

Example

この経を毎日読みます。ko no kyō o mai nichi yo mi ma su

I read this sutra every day.

Illustration for 経 (sutra)

More examples

寺で経を唱えます。tera de kyō o tona e ma su

I chant a sutra at the temple.

Core concept

Names a canonical Buddhist text treated as a written record of the Buddha's teachings.

Common phrases

  • 経を読むkyō o yo mu

    read a sutra

  • 経を唱えるkyō o tona e ru

    chant a sutra

Similar words

経典kyōten: A formal name for a Buddhist scripture recognized as part of the canon.
お経okyō: A familiar and respectful name for a Buddhist sutra used in religious settings.

Definition in Japanese

仏教の教えを記した、宗教上の典籍。buk kyō no oshi e o shiru shi ta shū kyō jō no ten seki

Word origin

経 (kyō, "sutra") is the Japanese reading of a Chinese-derived character whose early sense was a warp thread and whose meaning extended to a classic or canonical book.

Usage tips

  • The English word sutra covers several South Asian religious traditions, while Japanese 経 (kyō, "sutra") is commonly used for Buddhist texts.

Word lists with this word