精進

• Reading: しょうじん
• Romaji: shōjin
• Kanji breakdown: 精 (shō) — pure, refined, energy; 進 (jin) — advance, progress
• Pronunciation: /ɕoː.dʑi.ɴ/

Meaning

Devotion; diligent effort; Buddhist vegetarian diet. Refers to single-minded dedication to practice, or the abstention from meat in religious contexts.

A noun and suru-verb (精進する) with two related meanings. In general usage it means applying oneself diligently and wholeheartedly to a pursuit — 精進する implies sustained, earnest effort rather than casual practice. In Buddhist contexts 精進 also refers to the dietary practice of abstaining from meat, fish, and strong-smelling vegetables, as in 精進料理 (shōjin ryōri), the traditional vegetarian cuisine of Buddhist temples.

Examples

1. 師匠の教えに従い、日々の稽古に精進してきた結果が今日の舞台だ。 Today's performance is the result of following my master's teachings and devoting myself to daily practice.
2. 祖父の四十九日が明けるまで家族全員で精進料理を食べた。 The entire family ate only vegetarian Buddhist cuisine until the forty-ninth day memorial for our grandfather had passed.
3. 彼女は書道の腕を磨こうと毎日精進を重ねている。 She diligently devotes herself every day to honing her calligraphy skills.

Usage Guide

Context: Buddhism, traditional arts, funeral customs, self-cultivation

Tone: earnest

Origin & History

From 精 (shō/sei) meaning 'pure, refined' and 進 (shin) meaning 'to advance or progress.' In Buddhism it corresponds to the Sanskrit concept of virya (effort/perseverance), one of the six pāramitā (perfections).

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: All classes