1.
this world; the present life; this life
The current world or lifetime, as opposed to the afterlife or past/future lives. A concept rooted in Buddhist thought, contrasting with the previous life and the next life.
現世での幸せを願う。
To wish for happiness in this life.
仏教では現世の行いが来世に影響すると考えられている。
In Buddhism, one's actions in this life are believed to affect the next life.
現世利益を求めてお寺に参る人も多い。
Many people visit temples seeking worldly benefits.
A Buddhist-origin concept referring to the present existence. In Buddhist cosmology, existence is divided into three phases: 前世 (previous life), 現世 (this life), and 来世 (next life).
ALTERNATIVE READING:
Also read as げんせい or うつしよ. The reading うつしよ has a more literary, Shinto-influenced nuance meaning "the visible/real world" as opposed to the spirit world.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 現世利益: worldly benefits (blessings sought through prayer for this life)
- 現世での行い: one's conduct in this life
- 現世を楽しむ: to enjoy this life
RELATED TERMS:
- 前世: previous life — the life before this one
- 来世: next life, afterlife — the life after this one
- 三世: three worlds/lives — past, present, and future existences
- 浮世: the floating world — the transient, pleasure-seeking world (Edo-era concept)