Sanskrit Praise of the Four Wisdoms - Shichibongosan

Japanese: 四智梵語讃 - しちぼんごさん

The title of a chanting song (Shomiyokyoku). It is also simply called "Four Wisdoms Sanskrit" or "Four Wisdoms Praise." It is a hymn praising the Buddha's four wisdoms (Great Mirror Wisdom, Equal Wisdom, Wonderful Observation Wisdom, and Accomplished Wisdom). It is the most common chanting song among all Sanskrit and Chinese hymns, and is used in many sects, but the melody varies depending on the sect, and the same sect may have songs with two different melody types. The reading of the lyrics also differs depending on the sect, such as "Onbasarasatamba..." (Tendai) or "Onbanzarasatba..." (Shingon). It is used for various purposes, such as a procession hymn when lining up outside the dojo, a procession hymn when entering the dojo, a Tengu hymn when offering offerings, an introductory hymn before the main part of a memorial service, and a post-hymn after it.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

声明曲（しようみようきよく）の曲名。単に《四智梵語》とも《四智讃》とも称する。仏の四智(大円鏡智，平等性智，妙観察智，成所作智)をたたえる讃。すべての梵語讃，漢語讃を通じてもっとも一般的な声明曲で，多くの宗派で用いるが，曲節は宗派によって異なり，同じ宗派に2種の曲節の曲があることもある。詞章の読み方も，〈オンバサラサタンバ……〉(天台)，〈オンバンザラサトバ……〉(真言)など宗派で違う。用途もさまざまで，道場外に列立する時の列讃，道場進入時の行道讃（ぎようどうさん），供物進献の奠供讃（てんぐさん），法要主部に先立つ前讃，後置する後讃などに用いる。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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