慈悲

• Reading: じひ
• Romaji: jihi
• Kanji breakdown: 慈 (ji/itsuku) — compassion, loving-kindness; 悲 (hi/kana) — sorrow, compassion
• Pronunciation: /dʑiçi/

Meaning

Mercy; compassion; benevolence; charity. Deep sympathy for suffering beings, accompanied by the wish to alleviate that suffering.

A formal Buddhist term (from Sanskrit maitrī-karuṇā) describing two aspects of compassion: 慈 (loving-kindness, wishing happiness for all) and 悲 (compassion, wishing freedom from suffering). Widely used in secular contexts to mean mercy or leniency. Appears in fixed expressions like 慈悲を垂れる (to bestow mercy) and お慈悲 (honorific form). Distinguished from 慈愛 by its broader, more universal and often impersonal scope.

Examples

1. 裁判官は初犯であることを考慮し、被告に慈悲を示した。 Considering it was a first offense, the judge showed mercy to the defendant.
2. 仏教では、慈悲はすべての生命に向けられるべきものとされる。 In Buddhism, compassion is meant to be directed toward all living beings.
3. 彼は慈悲の心で、路上で倒れていた老人を助け起こした。 With a compassionate heart, he helped an elderly man who had collapsed on the street.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, law, ethics, literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A Buddhist term introduced from Sanskrit via Chinese. 慈 (maitrī — loving-kindness) and 悲 (karuṇā — compassion) together define the ideal compassionate attitude in Buddhist ethics.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal