【No. 0456】"Higan" and "Shigan"
Mar 18, 2016 20:02
One week centering around the spring (autumn) equinox, that is, a period from March 17th to 23rd (from September 19th to 25th) is called "higan."
Japanese people often visit their ancestors' graves among the higan week.
Higan refers to the world where the souls of the dead live in Buddhism.
On the other hand, the world where we live is called "shigan."
Since higan is in the west, and shigan is in the east, we think that higan and shigan are easy to connect in the spring (autumn) equinox that the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.
However, actually only Japanese Buddhists visit graves in higan.
As one of the reasons, it is said that this tradition is the result of mixing Buddhism with Shinto that worships God of the sun.
Japanese people often visit their ancestors' graves among the higan week.
Higan refers to the world where the souls of the dead live in Buddhism.
On the other hand, the world where we live is called "shigan."
Since higan is in the west, and shigan is in the east, we think that higan and shigan are easy to connect in the spring (autumn) equinox that the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.
However, actually only Japanese Buddhists visit graves in higan.
As one of the reasons, it is said that this tradition is the result of mixing Buddhism with Shinto that worships God of the sun.
彼岸と此岸
春分（秋分）の前後三日間、すなわち3月17日から23日（9月19日から25日）の間のことを、「彼岸」と呼びます。
日本人は、彼岸の間によくお墓参りをします。
彼岸とは、仏教において死者の霊が住む世界を指します。
一方、我々の住む世界のことは此岸と呼びます。
彼岸は西、此岸は東にあるとされ、太陽が真東から昇り真西に沈む春分（および秋分）は、彼岸と此岸が通じやすいと考えられています。
しかし、実は彼岸にお墓参りをするのは、日本人の仏教徒だけです。
この理由として、仏教と太陽の神を信仰する神道と混ざった結果であるという説があります。
春分（秋分）の前後三日間、すなわち3月17日から23日（9月19日から25日）の間のことを、「彼岸」と呼びます。
日本人は、彼岸の間によくお墓参りをします。
彼岸とは、仏教において死者の霊が住む世界を指します。
一方、我々の住む世界のことは此岸と呼びます。
彼岸は西、此岸は東にあるとされ、太陽が真東から昇り真西に沈む春分（および秋分）は、彼岸と此岸が通じやすいと考えられています。
しかし、実は彼岸にお墓参りをするのは、日本人の仏教徒だけです。
この理由として、仏教と太陽の神を信仰する神道と混ざった結果であるという説があります。
Corrections (1)
No. 1 zenzen
- "Higan" and "Shigan"
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- One week centering around the spring (autumn) equinox, that is, a period from March 17th to 23rd (from September 19th to 25th) is called "higan."
- One The week centering around the spring (or autumn) equinox, that is, a the period from March 17th to 23rd (or from September 19th to 25th) is called "higan."
- Japanese people often visit their ancestors' graves among the higan week.
- Japanese people often visit their ancestors' graves among during the higan week.
- Higan refers to the world where the souls of the dead live in Buddhism.
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- On the other hand, the world where we live is called "shigan."
- This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
- Since higan is in the west, and shigan is in the east, we think that higan and shigan are easy to connect in the spring (autumn) equinox that the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.
- Since higan is in the west, and shigan is in the east, we think that higan and shigan are easy easier to connect in during the spring (or autumn) equinox, that when the sun rises directly in the East and sets directly in the West.
- However, actually only Japanese Buddhists visit graves in higan.
-
However, actually only Japanese Buddhists visit graves in during higan.
'in' also makes sense, but I think 'during' is more natural :)
- As one of the reasons, it is said that this tradition is the result of mixing Buddhism with Shinto that worships God of the sun.
-
As one of the reasons, According to one (theory/explanation), it is said that this tradition is the result of mixing Buddhism with Shinto, which worships a God of the sun.
'as one of the reasons' sounded a little strange for some reason.
面白いです！今まで聞いたことがなかったです。勉強になりました。
Toru
Thank you very much for correcting my post!
I'm happy to hear you say that :)
実は、このような伝統行事を知らない日本の若者はとても増えているようです。
Thank you very much for correcting my post!
I'm happy to hear you say that :)
実は、このような伝統行事を知らない日本の若者はとても増えているようです。
zenzen
あぁ、そうですか。伝統行事を守るのは難しいでしょうね。世界中、伝統的な文化を知っている人は減少しているでしょうね。難しい問題ですね...
あぁ、そうですか。伝統行事を守るのは難しいでしょうね。世界中、伝統的な文化を知っている人は減少しているでしょうね。難しい問題ですね...