1.
alms; charitable donation; offering (especially to Buddhist monks or temples)
Charitable giving or almsgiving in the Buddhist tradition. In modern Japan, most commonly refers to the monetary offering given to Buddhist monks for conducting funerals, memorial services, and other ceremonies.
A Buddhist term for charitable giving or almsgiving. In modern Japan, most commonly refers to the monetary offering given to Buddhist monks for conducting funeral services, memorial services, or other religious ceremonies. Often used with the honorific prefix as お布施.
Common collocations
- お布施: offering, donation (polite form — the standard in everyday usage)
- 布施を包む: to wrap an offering (in an envelope)
- 布施を渡す: to hand over an offering
- 布施の相場: the customary amount for an offering
Similar words
- 寄付: donation — secular charitable donation, not specifically religious
- お賽銭: monetary offering at a shrine — Shinto context, coins thrown into the offertory box
- 供物: offering of food or goods — physical items placed on an altar
Cultural note
In Buddhism, 布施 is one of the six perfections (六波羅蜜). Traditional categories include 財施 (material giving), 法施 (teaching the dharma), and 無畏施 (giving freedom from fear).