現世(げんせ)

げんせ
noun
this world; the present life; this life
religionphilosophy
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(げんせ)での幸(しあわ)せを願(ねが)う。
To wish for happiness in this life.
仏教(ぶっきょう)では現世(げんせ)の行(おこな)いが来世(らいせ)に影響(えいきょう)すると考(かんが)えられている。
In Buddhism, one's actions in this life are believed to affect the next life.
現世(げんせ)利益(りやく)を求(もと)めてお寺(てら)に参(まい)る人(ひと)も多(おお)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(ぜんせ) (previous life), 現世(げんせ) (this life), and 来世(らいせ) (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(げんせ)利益(りやく): worldly benefits (blessings sought through prayer for this life)
  • 現世(げんせ)での行(おこな)い: one's conduct in this life
  • 現世(げんせ)を楽(たの)しむ: to enjoy this life

Related words

  • 前世(ぜんせ): previous life — the life before this one
  • 来世(らいせ): next life, afterlife — the life after this one
  • 三世(さんぜ): three worlds/lives — past, present, and future existences
  • 浮世(うきよ): the floating world — the transient, pleasure-seeking world (Edo-era concept)

Related Words

Related: 前世(ぜんせ) (previous life)
Related: 来世(らいせ) (next life)
Compare: この世(よ) (this world)
Compare: 世俗的(せぞくてき) (secular)
Compare: 世俗(せぞく) (worldly)
Compare: 俗世間(ぞくせけん) (the secular world)
general
Added 2026.3.29 22:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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