1.
equinoctial week, equinox period
A seven-day period centered on the spring or autumn equinox, during which Japanese families visit graves and make offerings to ancestors. One of the most important Buddhist observances in Japan.
彼岸にお墓参りをする。
We visit graves during the equinox.
春の彼岸にはぼたもちを作る。
We make botamochi during the spring equinox.
暑さ寒さも彼岸まで。
Both heat and cold last only until the equinox.
A well-known proverb meaning extreme weather moderates around the equinox.
2.
the other shore, the far bank; nirvana
In Buddhist philosophy, the realm of enlightenment on the other side of the river of suffering. The opposite of 此岸 (this shore, the world of earthly suffering).
彼岸に渡る。
To cross to the other shore (to attain enlightenment).
仏教では、苦しみの世界を此岸、悟りの世界を彼岸と呼ぶ。
In Buddhism, the world of suffering is called 'this shore' and the world of enlightenment is called 'the other shore.'
修行を重ね、ついに彼岸に至った。
After years of training, he finally reached the other shore.
SENSE 1 (equinox period):
The 彼岸 period lasts seven days: the equinox day itself, three days before, and three days after. There are two per year:
- 春の彼岸: spring equinox (around March 20-21)
- 秋の彼岸: autumn equinox (around September 22-23)
Traditional foods:
- ぼたもち: rice balls with sweet bean paste (spring)
- おはぎ: similar to ぼたもchi but named differently (autumn)
PROVERB:
暑さ寒さも彼岸まで: Both heat and cold end by the equinox.
SENSE 2 (the other shore):
From Sanskrit pāramitā (波羅蜜多). The Buddhist concept contrasts 此岸 (this shore, the world of suffering) with 彼岸 (the other shore, nirvana). The equinox observance (sense 1) derives from this concept.