Shaka ni Seppō (釈迦に説法 - Preaching to the Choir)

Shaka ni Seppō

I noticed that some presenters used the Japanese phrase 'shaka ni seppō' (釈迦に説法) in an academic conference I participated in.

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."

Imagine a situation that someone teaches a Buddha's sermon to Buddha himself.

You know it is an embarrassing and stupid act.

Like this, to teach or explain something to an expert/specialist in the field is described as 'shaka ni seppō'.

釈迦に説法

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。

「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。

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。

とても愚かで恥ずかしいことだと思います。

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。

• I noticed that some presenters used the Japanese phrase 'shaka ni seppō' (釈迦に説法) in an academic conference I participated in.
• I noticed in an academic conference I attended some presenters used the Japanese phrase 'shaka ni seppō' (釈迦に説法)

• 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."
• 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."

• Imagine a situation that someone teaches a Buddha's sermon to Buddha himself.
• Imagine a situation where someone teaches a Buddhist sermon to Buddha himself.