1.
Pure Land; Buddhist paradise
In Buddhism, the western paradise of Amitabha Buddha where souls are reborn after death. Also called 極楽浄土.
極楽に往生する。
To be reborn in the Pure Land.
死んだら極楽に行けるだろうか。
I wonder if I'll go to paradise when I die.
極楽浄土の教えは浄土宗の中心にある。
The teaching of the Pure Land is at the center of the Jodo sect.
2.
paradise; bliss; heavenly comfort
Used figuratively for an extremely pleasant or comfortable state. Often describes situations of pure relaxation or luxury.
温泉に入って極楽だ。
Getting in the hot spring — what bliss!
風呂上がりのビールは極楽だなあ。
A beer after a bath is pure heaven.
マッサージを受けていたら、あまりの気持ちよさに極楽気分になった。
While getting a massage, it felt so good I was in a state of bliss.
Originally a Buddhist term for Amitabha's Pure Land, now commonly used colloquially to describe any situation of extreme comfort or pleasure.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 極楽浄土: the Pure Land paradise
- 極楽気分: a blissful feeling
- 極楽往生: peaceful death and rebirth in paradise
- 極楽とんぼ: carefree person (literally "paradise dragonfly")
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The concept of 極楽 comes from Pure Land Buddhism, which teaches that by calling on Amitabha Buddha's name, one can be reborn in the western paradise. The colloquial sense (bliss, heaven) is extremely common in everyday speech, especially when enjoying baths, food, or relaxation.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 天国: heaven — more general, influenced by Christian concept
- 浄土: Pure Land — more specifically Buddhist and formal