Shaka ni Seppō (釈迦に説法 – Preaching to the Choir)
Shaka ni Seppō
釈迦に説法
I noticed that some presenters used the Japanese phrase shaka ni seppō (釈迦に説法) in an academic conference I participated in.
先日参加した学会で、数名の発表者が「釈迦に説法」という表現を使っていました。
Since shaka (釈迦) means “Buddha” and seppō (説法) means “preach (of Buddha),” the literal meaning of ‘shaka ni seppō’ is “preach of Buddha to Buddha.”
「釈迦」は “Buddha”、「説法」は “preach (of Buddha)” を意味するので、「釈迦に説法」の文字どおりの意味は “preach of Buddha to Buddha” となります。
Imagine a situation that someone teaches a Buddha’s sermon to Buddha himself.
お釈迦様が説いた説法を、お釈迦様本人に教え聞かせるという行為を想像してみて下さい。
You know it is an embarrassing and stupid act.
とても愚かで恥ずかしいことだと思います。
Like this, to teach or explain something to an expert/specialist in the field is described as shaka ni seppō.
このように、何かにとても詳しい人に対して、それを教えたり説明したりすることを、「釈迦に説法」と言います。
“Preaching to the choir” has a totally different meaning. It means talking to people who already agree with you.