佛教

• Pinyin: fó jiào
• Hanzi breakdown: 佛 = 亻+ 弗 — Buddha; 教 = 孝 (filial piety) + 攵 (hand with stick) — teaching, religion

Meaning

Buddhism. The religion and philosophy based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha).

One of the major religions in China, introduced from India around the 1st century CE. Key terms: 佛教徒 (Buddhist), 大乘佛教 (Mahayana Buddhism), 小乘佛教 (Theravada Buddhism), 禅宗 (Zen Buddhism). Buddhism has profoundly influenced Chinese culture, art, architecture, and philosophy.

Examples

1. 佛教传入中国后，与本土的道教和儒家思想相互影响融合。 After Buddhism was introduced to China, it mutually influenced and merged with native Taoism and Confucian thought.
2. 她对佛教产生兴趣后，开始研究禅宗的哲学理念。 After she became interested in Buddhism, she began studying the philosophical concepts of Zen.
3. 这座城市有很多佛教寺院，是著名的朝圣目的地。 This city has many Buddhist temples and is a famous pilgrimage destination.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, history, culture

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 佛教是世界三大宗教之一。(Buddhism is one of the three major world religions.)
• 他皈依佛教已经十年了。(He has been a Buddhist convert for ten years.)

Don't Say

• 混淆佛教和道教 (Don't confuse 佛教 (Buddhism) with 道教 (Taoism) — they are different religions with different origins and philosophies)

Origin & History

Compound of 佛 (Buddha) + 教 (teaching, religion). Literally 'the teaching of Buddha.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal