This book provides a comprehensive guide to commonly used honorifics, terms, and units in the Chinese language. It serves as a valuable resource for individuals who are using Chinese terms to write their stories', offering explanations and examples...
The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (天龙八部) : Eight races of deities from Buddhist cosmology, sometimes said to be protectors of Buddhism. Although they are much more powerful and long-lived than humans, they too are trapped in the cycle of reincarnation (samsara). A famous Wuxia novel was inspired by and named after these deities.
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Saṃsāra (Sanskrit: संसार, Pali: saṃsāra; also samsara) in Buddhism and Hinduism is the beginningless cycle of repeated birth, mundane existence and dying again. Samsara is considered to be dukkha, suffering, and in general unsatisfactory and painful, perpetuated by desire and avidya (ignorance), and the resulting karma.
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A thangka showing the bhavacakra with the ancient five cyclic realms of saṃsāra in Buddhist cosmology. Medieval and contemporary texts typically describe six realms of reincarnation.
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• Deva (天人) (天众) - Heavenly beings. They are said to be the highest and most blessed lifeforms in the Three Realms.
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Trailokya literally means "three worlds". It can also refer to "three spheres," "three planes of existence," "three realms" and "three regions."
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• Naga (那伽) (龙众) - Dragon-like or serpent-like beings. They are sometimes said to live in the seas and to have powers over water. They have great enmity with the Garudas.
• Yaksha (夜叉) - Demonic beings that eat human flesh. Interestingly, they are also sometimes said to be benevolent nature spirits. Possibly related to Rakshasas.
• Gandharva (乾闼婆) (乾达婆) - Heavenly beings known for their skill as musicians. They consume fragrances (especially from incense) instead of ordinary food.
• Asura (修罗) (阿修罗) - Also known as Ashura. Warlike beings commonly depicted with three heads and six arms. Well-known for their anger, belligerence, and great strength. They once warred with the Devas and were cast out of the Heavens.
• Garuda (迦楼罗) - Gigantic bird-like beings which hunt Nagas. Garudas are often conflated with Rocs and Pengs.
• Kinnara (紧那罗) - Heavenly beings sometimes depicted as half-human and half-bird. Known for their skill in singing and dancing.
• Mahoraga (摩睺罗伽) (摩睺罗迦) - Serpent-like beings which live beneath the earth.
