釈迦(しゃか)

しゃか
noun (proper)
Shakyamuni; the Buddha
religionproper-nounperson-name
1. Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha
The founder of Buddhism, named after the Shakya clan into which he was born. In speech he is usually お釈迦(しゃか)様(さま); the name also lives on in several set phrases.
釈迦(しゃか)の教(おし)えを学(まな)ぶ。
To study the teachings of the Buddha.
四月八日(しがつようか)は釈迦(しゃか)の誕生日(たんじょうび)とされている。
April 8 is traditionally kept as the Buddha's birthday.
料理人(りょうりにん)に料理(りょうり)のこつを話(はな)すなんて、釈迦(しゃか)に説法(せっぽう)だよ。
Explaining cooking tips to a chef is like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs.

Common expressions

  • お釈迦(しゃか)様(さま): the Buddha (the usual form in speech)
  • 釈迦(しゃか)に説法(せっぽう): preaching to the Buddha; explaining something to an expert
  • お釈迦(しゃか)になる: (slang) to be ruined, to turn out defective

Cultural note

The Buddha's birthday on April 8 is celebrated at temples as 花祭(はなまつ)り, when sweet tea is poured over a small statue of the infant Buddha.

general
Added 2026.10.11 10:58 · Revised 2026.10.11 10:59
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