滝行(たきぎょう)

たきぎょう
noun
waterfall meditation; waterfall ascetic practice
writtenspokenreligionculture
1. waterfall meditation; waterfall ascetic practice; standing under a waterfall as spiritual training
A form of ascetic practice in which a person stands or sits under a waterfall, enduring the cold water as a means of spiritual purification and mental discipline. Rooted in Shinto and Buddhist traditions.
山寺(やまでら)で滝行(たきぎょう)を体験(たいけん)した。
I experienced waterfall meditation at a mountain temple.
冬(ふゆ)の滝行(たきぎょう)は極(きわ)めて過酷(かこく)だ。
Waterfall meditation in winter is extremely harsh.
最近(さいきん)は観光客(かんこうきゃく)にも滝行(たきぎょう)を体験(たいけん)させてくれる寺(てら)が増(ふ)えており、精神(せいしん)修養(しゅうよう)の一環(いっかん)として人気(にんき)がある。
Recently, more temples are offering waterfall meditation experiences to tourists, and it is popular as a form of mental discipline.

Composed of 滝(たき) (waterfall) and 行(ぎょう) (ascetic practice; training). Part of the broader tradition of 修行(しゅぎょう) (ascetic training) in Japanese religion.

Cultural note

Traditionally practiced by Buddhist monks and 山伏(やまぶし) (mountain ascetics) as a form of 禊(みそぎ) (purification). The practitioner wears white clothing and chants sutras or prayers while standing under the waterfall. In recent years, some temples have opened 滝行(たきぎょう) to lay participants, making it a popular spiritual tourism activity.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 修行(しゅぎょう): ascetic training; religious practice — the general term for spiritual training, of which 滝行(たきぎょう) is one specific form
  • 禊(みそぎ): purification ritual — a Shinto cleansing practice, often involving cold water but not necessarily a waterfall
  • 座禅(ざぜん): seated Zen meditation — another form of spiritual practice, but done sitting rather than under water

Related Words

Compare: 修行(しゅぎょう) (ascetic training)
Compare: 禊(みそぎ) (purification ritual)
Compare: 座禅(ざぜん) (seated Zen meditation)
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Added 2026.4.20 19:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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