大乘佛教
Dàchéng Fójiào
大乘佛教 (Dàchéng Fójiào) is the Mandarin Chinese term for Mahayana Buddhism.
This phrase refers to the major branch of Buddhism that emphasizes the path to enlightenment for all sentient beings.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 大乘 (Dàchéng) literally means 'great vehicle'.
How do you pronounce it?
Dàchéng Fójiào
Did you know?
- Chinese Mahayana Buddhism developed unique terms like 禅 (chán), which is the root of the Japanese word 'Zen'. This reflects how the Mandarin terminology for this branch eventually shaped the spiritual vocabulary of East Asia.
- The word 乘 (chéng) in this phrase is a noun meaning 'vehicle', but it is also a common verb used to describe the act of boarding a bus, train, or boat.
- The term 佛 (fó) in the phrase is not a native Chinese word but a phonetic transliteration designed to mimic the sound of the Sanskrit word 'Buddha'.
Examples in context
- 大乘佛教非常注重慈悲心。Dàchéng Fójiào fēicháng zhùzhòng cíbēi xīn.Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes compassion very much.
- 他在研究关于大乘佛教的经典。Tā zài yánjiū guānyú Dàchéng Fójiào de jīngdiǎn.He is studying the classics of Mahayana Buddhism.
- 大乘佛教的核心是普度众生。Dàchéng Fójiào de héxīn shì pǔdù zhòngshēng.The core of Mahayana Buddhism is saving all sentient beings.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Yuting are discussing different philosophies at a library.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你知道什么是大乘佛教吗？Yǔtíng, nǐ zhīdào shénme shì dàchéng fójiào ma?Yuting, do you know what Mahayana Buddhism is?
- 雨婷 Yuting我知道，它强调所有众生都能觉悟。Wǒ zhīdào, tā qiángdiào suǒyǒu zhòngshēng dōu néng juéwù.I know, it emphasizes that all sentient beings can achieve enlightenment.
- 志强 Zhiqiang听起来很有意义。Tīng qǐlái hěn yǒu yìyì.That sounds very meaningful.
- 雨婷 Yuting是的，志强，你可以读这本书了解更多。Shì de, Zhìqiáng, nǐ kěyǐ dú zhè běn shū liǎojiě gèng duō.Yes, Zhiqiang, you can read this book to learn more.
