1.
manual labor at a temple; cleaning and maintenance work (in Zen Buddhism)
Originally a Zen Buddhist term for daily physical work considered part of spiritual practice.
朝の作務で庭を掃いた。
I swept the garden during the morning work session.
作務衣を着て作務に取りかかる。
I put on work clothes and start the temple chores.
禅寺では作務も修行の一環とされる。
At Zen temples, manual labor is considered part of spiritual training.
A Zen Buddhist concept where daily physical labor — sweeping, cleaning, cooking, gardening — is regarded as a form of meditative practice equal in value to seated meditation (座禅). The word is best known through the compound 作務衣, the simple work clothing worn during these tasks.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 作務衣: work clothes (originally for temple work, now popular as casual wear)
- 作務をする: to do temple work
- 朝の作務: morning work session
CULTURAL NOTE:
作務衣 has become popular as comfortable casual clothing beyond temple settings. Many craftspeople, artists, and restaurants use 作務衣 as work uniforms.
RELATED WORDS:
- 修行: ascetic training, spiritual discipline — broader term for religious practice
- 座禅: seated meditation — the contemplative counterpart to active 作務