像ぞう法ぼう

noun

Age of Semblance Dharma; middle day of the law

Buddhist term: the second of the three ages following the Buddha's death, when the teaching remains but enlightenment is rare. Often contrasted with 正法 (age of the true law) and 末法 (age of the degenerate law).

• 像ぞう法ぼうの時じ代だいには、教おしえは残のこっているが悟さとりを得える者ものは少すくないとされる。

  In the Age of Semblance Dharma, the teaching remains but few attain enlightenment.