Zhong sheng, Zhòng shēng, Zhòng shèng, Zhōng shēng, Zhǒng shēng: 12 definitions
Introduction:
Zhong sheng means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Chinese Buddhism
1) 衆生 [zhong sheng]—sattva; all the living, living beings, older tr. 有情 [you qing] sentient, or conscious beings; also many lives, i.e. many transmigrations.
2) 衆聖 [zhong sheng]—All saints, all who have realized the Buddha-truth.
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
眾生 [zhong sheng]—Sentient Beings — [Terminology (術語 [shu yu])] The Sanskrit (梵語 [fan yu]) word is Sattva (薩埵 [sa duo]), Puhu Shanna (僕呼善那 [pu hu shan na]). The new translation (新譯 [xin yi]) is "sentient being" (有情 [you qing]), while the old translation (舊譯 [jiu yi]) is "living being" or "all beings". Zhong Sheng has multiple meanings (多義 [duo yi]):
(1) The meaning of "many people born together" (眾人共生之義 [zhong ren gong sheng zhi yi]). Fahua Wenju (法華文句 [fa hua wen ju]), Vol. 4, states: "The Madhyama Agama (中阿含 [zhong a han]), Vol. 12, says: At the beginning of the kalpa (劫初 [jie chu]), beings from the Abhasvara heaven (光音天 [guang yin tian]) descended to the world, without distinctions of male or female, high or low status, and many were born together in the world, hence the term zhong sheng. This refers to the very beginning."
(2) Many dharmas (elements) (眾多之法 [zhong duo zhi fa]) temporarily combine (假和合 [jia he he]) and are born, hence named zhong sheng. The Fagu Jing (法鼓經 [fa gu jing]) states: "All dharmas combine and are established, named zhong sheng." The Commentary on the Vimalakirti Sutra (注維摩經 [zhu wei mo jing]), Vol. 2, states: "It is said: Zhong sheng are born from the gathering of many things, hence named the master of one." Dasheng Yizhang (大乘義章 [da cheng yi zhang]), Vol. 6, states: "They are born from the aggregation of the five skandhas (五陰 [wu yin]), hence named zhong sheng." Huiyuan's Commentary on the Great Sutra (大經慧苑疏 [da jing hui yuan shu]) states: "Many dharmas form life (眾法成生 [zhong fa cheng sheng]), also named zhong sheng." Fahua Wenju, Vol. 4, states: "If composed of many skandhas, they are temporarily named zhong sheng. This refers to receiving retribution for one lifetime."
(3) Experiencing many births and deaths (經眾多之生死 [jing zhong duo zhi sheng si]), hence named zhong sheng. They are not called "many deaths" because those who are born must die, and those who die must be born (again). The Prajna-pradipa-shastra (般若燈論 [ban ruo deng lun]) states: "Sentient beings are repeatedly born, hence named zhong sheng." Dasheng Yizhang, Vol. 7, states: "Many births continuing is named zhong sheng." Fahua Wenju, Vol. 4, states: "If it is said that they receive birth everywhere, hence named zhong sheng, this refers to transmigration through the five paths due to karmic power." Abhidharmakosha Karika Guangji (俱舍光記 [ju she guang ji]), Vol. 1, Part 1, states: "Undergoing many births and deaths, hence named zhong sheng. Indeed, birth implies death, and saying 'birth' can encompass 'death,' hence the term zhong sheng. Death does not necessarily imply birth (again), for example, entering nirvana (入涅槃 [ru nie pan]), hence it is not called 'many deaths.'" Cheng Weishi Lun Shu Ji (唯識述記 [wei shi shu ji]), Vol. 1, states: "The Sanskrit word is Sattva, which means 'sentient being' here, because they have consciousness/sentience. (omitted) As for the term zhong sheng, it is not well-reasoned, as plants are also zhong sheng (草木 [cao mu])."
眾生—【術語】梵語薩埵 Sattva，僕呼善那。新譯曰有情，舊譯曰眾生。眾生有多義：（一）眾人共生之義。法華文句四曰：「中阿含十二云：劫初光音天，下生世間，無男女尊卑眾共生世，故言眾生。此據最初也。」（二）眾多之法，假和合而生，故名眾生。法鼓經曰：「萬法和合施設，名為眾生。」注維摩經二曰：「生曰：眾生者眾事會而生，以名宰一之主也。」大乘義章六曰：「依於五陰和合而生，故名眾生。」大經慧苑疏曰：「眾法成生，亦名眾生。」法華文句四曰：「若攬眾陰而有，假名眾生。此據一期受報也。」（三）經眾多之生死，故名眾生。不曰眾死者，以有生者必有死，有死者必有生故也。般若燈論曰：「有情者數數生，故名眾生。」大乘義章七曰：「多生相續，名曰眾生。」法華文句四曰：「若言處處受生，故名眾生者。此據業力五道流轉也。」俱舍光記一上曰：「受眾多生死，故名眾生。夫生必死，言生可以攝死，故言眾生。死不必生，如入涅槃，故不言眾死。」唯識述記一本曰：「梵云薩埵，此言有情，有情識故。（中略）言眾生者，不善理也，草木眾生。」
[shù yǔ] fàn yǔ sà duǒ Sattva, pú hū shàn nà. xīn yì yuē yǒu qíng, jiù yì yuē zhòng shēng. zhòng shēng yǒu duō yì: (yī) zhòng rén gòng shēng zhī yì. fǎ huá wén jù sì yuē: “zhōng ā hán shí èr yún: jié chū guāng yīn tiān, xià shēng shì jiān, wú nán nǚ zūn bēi zhòng gòng shēng shì, gù yán zhòng shēng. cǐ jù zuì chū yě.” (èr) zhòng duō zhī fǎ, jiǎ hé hé ér shēng, gù míng zhòng shēng. fǎ gǔ jīng yuē: “wàn fǎ hé hé shī shè, míng wèi zhòng shēng.” zhù wéi mó jīng èr yuē: “shēng yuē: zhòng shēng zhě zhòng shì huì ér shēng, yǐ míng zǎi yī zhī zhǔ yě.” dà chéng yì zhāng liù yuē: “yī yú wǔ yīn hé hé ér shēng, gù míng zhòng shēng.” dà jīng huì yuàn shū yuē: “zhòng fǎ chéng shēng, yì míng zhòng shēng.” fǎ huá wén jù sì yuē: “ruò lǎn zhòng yīn ér yǒu, jiǎ míng zhòng shēng. cǐ jù yī qī shòu bào yě.” (sān) jīng zhòng duō zhī shēng sǐ, gù míng zhòng shēng. bù yuē zhòng sǐ zhě, yǐ yǒu shēng zhě bì yǒu sǐ, yǒu sǐ zhě bì yǒu shēng gù yě. bān ruò dēng lùn yuē: “yǒu qíng zhě shù shù shēng, gù míng zhòng shēng.” dà chéng yì zhāng qī yuē: “duō shēng xiāng xù, míng yuē zhòng shēng.” fǎ huá wén jù sì yuē: “ruò yán chù chù shòu shēng, gù míng zhòng shēng zhě. cǐ jù yè lì wǔ dào liú zhuǎn yě.” jù shě guāng jì yī shàng yuē: “shòu zhòng duō shēng sǐ, gù míng zhòng shēng. fū shēng bì sǐ, yán shēng kě yǐ shè sǐ, gù yán zhòng shēng. sǐ bù bì shēng, rú rù niè pán, gù bù yán zhòng sǐ.” wéi shí shù jì yī běn yuē: “fàn yún sà duǒ, cǐ yán yǒu qíng, yǒu qíng shí gù. (zhōng lüè) yán zhòng shēng zhě, bù shàn lǐ yě, cǎo mù zhòng shēng.”
[shu yu] fan yu sa duo Sattva, pu hu shan na. xin yi yue you qing, jiu yi yue zhong sheng. zhong sheng you duo yi: (yi) zhong ren gong sheng zhi yi. fa hua wen ju si yue: "zhong a han shi er yun: jie chu guang yin tian, xia sheng shi jian, wu nan nu zun bei zhong gong sheng shi, gu yan zhong sheng. ci ju zui chu ye." (er) zhong duo zhi fa, jia he he er sheng, gu ming zhong sheng. fa gu jing yue: "wan fa he he shi she, ming wei zhong sheng." zhu wei mo jing er yue: "sheng yue: zhong sheng zhe zhong shi hui er sheng, yi ming zai yi zhi zhu ye." da cheng yi zhang liu yue: "yi yu wu yin he he er sheng, gu ming zhong sheng." da jing hui yuan shu yue: "zhong fa cheng sheng, yi ming zhong sheng." fa hua wen ju si yue: "ruo lan zhong yin er you, jia ming zhong sheng. ci ju yi qi shou bao ye." (san) jing zhong duo zhi sheng si, gu ming zhong sheng. bu yue zhong si zhe, yi you sheng zhe bi you si, you si zhe bi you sheng gu ye. ban ruo deng lun yue: "you qing zhe shu shu sheng, gu ming zhong sheng." da cheng yi zhang qi yue: "duo sheng xiang xu, ming yue zhong sheng." fa hua wen ju si yue: "ruo yan chu chu shou sheng, gu ming zhong sheng zhe. ci ju ye li wu dao liu zhuan ye." ju she guang ji yi shang yue: "shou zhong duo sheng si, gu ming zhong sheng. fu sheng bi si, yan sheng ke yi she si, gu yan zhong sheng. si bu bi sheng, ru ru nie pan, gu bu yan zhong si." wei shi shu ji yi ben yue: "fan yun sa duo, ci yan you qing, you qing shi gu. (zhong lue) yan zhong sheng zhe, bu shan li ye, cao mu zhong sheng."
[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
眾聖 [zhong sheng]— (zhòng shèng) - 【Terminology】 Refers to all the saints who have severed delusions and realized the truth, specifically those who have attained the First Fruit (初果 [chu guo]) or above in Hinayana (小乘 [xiao cheng]), and the First Ground (初地 [chu de]) or above in Mahayana (大乘 [da cheng]).
The Essentials of Consciousness-only (唯識樞要 [wei shi shu yao]), Upper Volume, states: "The Way surpasses all scriptures; its fame illuminates all saints." The Record of Practices (行宗記 [xing zong ji]), First Part, states: "The saints are not singular."
眾聖—【術語】謂小乘初果已上，大乘初地已上之斷惑證理諸聖人也。唯識樞要上本曰：「道超群典，譽光眾聖。」行宗記上之一曰：「眾聖非一。」
[shù yǔ] wèi xiǎo chéng chū guǒ yǐ shàng, dà chéng chū de yǐ shàng zhī duàn huò zhèng lǐ zhū shèng rén yě. wéi shí shū yào shàng běn yuē: “dào chāo qún diǎn, yù guāng zhòng shèng.” xíng zōng jì shàng zhī yī yuē: “zhòng shèng fēi yī.”
[shu yu] wei xiao cheng chu guo yi shang, da cheng chu de yi shang zhi duan huo zheng li zhu sheng ren ye. wei shi shu yao shang ben yue: "dao chao qun dian, yu guang zhong sheng." xing zong ji shang zhi yi yue: "zhong sheng fei yi."
1) 眾生 t = 众生 s = zhòng shēng p refers to [noun] “sentient beings”; Domain: Buddhism 佛教 [fu jiao] , Subdomain: Fo Guang Shan; Notes: (Glossary of Humanistic Buddhism).
2) 眾生 t = 众生 s = zhòng shēng p refers to [noun] “beings; all living things; all sentient beings”; Domain: Buddhism 佛教 [fu jiao]; Notes: Sanskrit equivalent: sattva, Pali: satta, Japanese: ujō, or: shujō, Tibetan: sems can; (BL 'sattva', p. 787; FGDB '眾生 [zhong sheng]'; MW 'sattva')..
3) 眾聖 t = 众圣 s = zhòng shèng p refers to [phrase] “all sages”; Domain: Buddhism 佛教 [fu jiao]; Notes: (Ding '眾聖 [zhong sheng]'; SH '眾聖 [zhong sheng]') ..
Chinese Buddhism (漢傳佛教, hanchuan fojiao) is the form of Buddhism that developed in China, blending Mahayana teachings with Daoist and Confucian thought. Its texts are mainly in Classical Chinese, based on translations from Sanskrit. Major schools include Chan (Zen), Pure Land, Tiantai, and Huayan. Chinese Buddhism has greatly influenced East Asian religion and culture.
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[The following represents an unverified English translation. For all purposes consult the original Chinese text.]
眾生 [zhòng shēng] [zhong sheng]—
1. All living plants and animals. Book of Rites - Sacrifice Meaning: "All 众生 [zhong sheng] (zhòng shēng) must die, and after death, they must return to the earth."
2. Animals other than humans. Water Margin, Chapter 30: "众生 [zhong sheng] (zhòng shēng) are easy to save, but humans are difficult. It turns out that you judge people by their appearance, but you have such a thieving heart."
3. Buddhist term. Refers to all sentient beings with consciousness. That is, all life forms in the six realms of reincarnation: 天 [tian] (tiān) (devas), 人 [ren] (rén) (humans), 阿修羅 [a xiu luo] (Ā xiū luó) (asuras), 畜生 [chu sheng] (chù shēng) (animals), 餓鬼 [e gui] (è guǐ) (hungry ghosts), and 地獄 [de yu] (dì yù) (hells). The Great Tang Sanzang's Journey to Obtain Scriptures, Volume 1: "This poor monk is under imperial decree because the eastern land 東土 [dong tu] (dōng tǔ) does not yet have 佛教 [fu jiao] (fó jiào) (Buddhism), and I am here to obtain the scriptures." Also referred to as "有情 [you qing] (yǒu qíng)" (sentient beings) or "有識 [you shi] (yǒu shí)" (conscious beings).
眾生：1.一切有生命的動植物。《禮記．祭義》：「眾生必死，死必歸土。」
2.人以外的動物。《水滸傳》第三○回：「眾生好度人難度，原來你這廝外貌相人，倒有這等賊心賊肝。」
3.佛教用語。指一切有情識作用的生物。亦即天、人、阿修羅、畜生、餓鬼、地獄六道輪迴的各種生命體。《大唐三藏取經詩話上》：「貧僧奉敕，為東土眾生未有佛教，是取經也。」也作「有情」、「有識」。
zhòng shēng:1. yī qiè yǒu shēng mìng de dòng zhí wù. < lǐ jì． jì yì>: “zhòng shēng bì sǐ, sǐ bì guī tǔ.”
2. rén yǐ wài de dòng wù. < shuǐ hǔ chuán> dì sān○huí: “zhòng shēng hǎo dù rén nán dù, yuán lái nǐ zhè sī wài mào xiāng rén, dào yǒu zhè děng zéi xīn zéi gān.”
3. fú jiào yòng yǔ. zhǐ yī qiè yǒu qíng shí zuò yòng de shēng wù. yì jí tiān,, rén,, ā xiū luó,, chù shēng,, è guǐ,, de yù liù dào lún huí de gè zhǒng shēng mìng tǐ. < dà táng sān cáng qǔ jīng shī huà shàng>: “pín sēng fèng chì, wèi dōng tǔ zhòng shēng wèi yǒu fú jiào, shì qǔ jīng yě.” yě zuò “yǒu qíng” ,, “yǒu shí” .
zhong sheng:1. yi qie you sheng ming de dong zhi wu. < li ji. ji yi>: "zhong sheng bi si, si bi gui tu."
2. ren yi wai de dong wu. < shui hu chuan> di san○hui: "zhong sheng hao du ren nan du, yuan lai ni zhe si wai mao xiang ren, dao you zhe deng zei xin zei gan."
3. fu jiao yong yu. zhi yi qie you qing shi zuo yong de sheng wu. yi ji tian,, ren,, a xiu luo,, chu sheng,, e gui,, de yu liu dao lun hui de ge zhong sheng ming ti. < da tang san cang qu jing shi hua shang>: "pin seng feng chi, wei dong tu zhong sheng wei you fu jiao, shi qu jing ye." ye zuo "you qing" ,, "you shi" .
1) 中聲 t = 中声 s = zhōng shēng p refers to “the medial (vowel or diphthong) of a Korean syllable”.
2) 眾生 t = 众生 s = zhòng shēng p refers to “all living things”..
3) 終生 t = 终生 s = zhōng shēng p refers to “throughout one's life/lifetime; lifelong”..
4) 終聲 t = 终声 s = zhōng shēng p refers to “the final of a Korean syllable (consonant or consonant cluster at the end of the syllable)”..
5) 重生 ts = zhòng shēng p refers to “to be reborn/rebirth”..
1) 眾生 t = 众生 s = zhòng shēng p refers to [noun] “all living things”; Domain: Literary Chinese 文言文 [wen yan wen]; Notes: (CC-CEDICT '眾生 [zhong sheng]'; Guoyu '眾生 [zhong sheng]' 1).
2) 眾生 t = 众生 s = zhòng shēng p refers to [noun] “living things other than people”; Domain: Literary Chinese 文言文 [wen yan wen]; Notes: (Guoyu '眾生 [zhong sheng]' 2)..
3) 終生 t = 终生 s = zhōng shēng p refers to [verb] “throughout one's life; lifetime; lifelong”; Domain: Modern Chinese 现代汉语 [xian dai han yu]; Notes: (CC-CEDICT '終生 [zhong sheng]') ..
1) 衆聖 [zhòng shèng] refers to: “all enlightened beings”.
衆聖 is further associated with the following language/terms:
[Tibetan] 'phags pa rnams.
[Vietnamese] chúng thánh.
[Korean] 중성 / jungseong.
[Japanese] シュショウ / shushō.
2) 終生 [zhōng shēng] refers to: “final production”.
終生 is further associated with the following language/terms:
[Vietnamese] chung sinh.
[Korean] 종생 / jongsaeng.
[Japanese] シュウショウ / shūshō.
3) 衆生 [zhòng shēng] refers to: “sentient being(s)”.
衆生 is further associated with the following language/terms:
[Related Chinese terms] 大會; 大衆; 衆; 諸有; 人性具足; 人身; 人間; 於人中; 有命者; 蠢動; 一切衆生; 衆生身; 一切; 一切有情; 一切有情之類; 世間有情; 有情; 諸有情; 諸群生; 諸衆生; 有情之類; 有情種類; 有情衆; 衆生界中; 衆生想; 情數; 有情數; 利有情; 利益衆生; 利衆生事; 大義; 度諸衆生; 有情義利; 有情饒益; 饒益衆生; 傍; 傍生; 橫; 畜; 畜生; 畜生道; 阿鼻地獄; 阿鼻獄.
[Sanskrit] bahūnām; jana-kāya; manuṣya-bhūta; praṇi-bhūta; sarva-dehin; sarva-jagad-upajīvya; sarva-sattva; sattva-nikāya; sattva-nimitta; sattva-vikṛti-pratisaṃyukta; sattvākara; sattvākhya; sattvārtha; tiryañc.
[Tibetan] sems can; skye bo; skye dgu.
[Vietnamese] chúng sanh.
[Korean] 중생 / jungsaeng.
[Japanese] シュジョウ / シュショウ.
4) 衆聲 [zhòng shēng] refers to: “various sounds”.
衆聲 is further associated with the following language/terms:
[Vietnamese] chúng thanh.
[Korean] 중성 / jungseong.
[Japanese] シュショウ / shushō.
5) 中生 [zhōng shēng] refers to: “intermediate state”.
中生 is further associated with the following language/terms:
[Sanskrit] antaropapadya-parinirvāyin; antarotpanna; madhya-saṃbhūta.
[Vietnamese] trung sinh.
[Korean] 중생 / jungsaeng.
[Japanese] チュウショウ / chūshō.
Chinese language.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Zhong, Cheng, Sheng, Jiao zhong, Mian.
Starts with (+29): Zhong sheng ai le shi you, Zhong sheng ben jue xin lian, Zhong sheng ben xing, Zhong sheng bu ke si yi, Zhong sheng dai, Zhong sheng deng, Zhong sheng dian ji, Zhong sheng duo shao, Zhong sheng en, Zhong sheng fei zhong sheng, Zhong sheng fen bie, Zhong sheng gen, Zhong sheng gen xing, Zhong sheng gou, Zhong sheng hui xiang, Zhong sheng jian, Zhong sheng jiao hua, Zhong sheng jiao yu, Zhong sheng jie, Zhong sheng jie jin.
Full-text (+2677): Zhong sheng xiang, Zhong sheng jian, Zhong sheng jie, Zhong sheng shi jian, Zhong sheng zhuo, She zhong sheng jie, Xia hua zhong sheng, Zhong sheng gen, Yi qie zhong sheng jing qi, Zhong sheng gou, Shang pin zhong sheng, Zhong sheng ren, Yi qie zhong sheng, Yi qie zhong sheng zhi fu, Zhong sheng xin, Deng zhong sheng jie, Yi qie zhong sheng xi jian fu, Yi qie zhong sheng li zhu e qu, Zhong sheng ben xing, Zhong sheng wu shi wu zhong.
Relevant text
Search found 14 books and stories containing Zhong sheng, 衆生, Zhòng shēng, Zhòngshēng, Zhongsheng, 衆聖, Zhòng shèng, Zhòngshèng, 眾生, 眾聖, 終生, Zhōng shēng, Zhōngshēng, 鐘聲, 種生, Zhǒng shēng, Zhǒngshēng, 重生, 中聲, 中声, 众生, 终生, 終聲, 终声, 衆聲, 中生; (plurals include: Zhong shengs, Zhòng shēngs, Zhòngshēngs, Zhongshengs, Zhòng shèngs, Zhòngshèngs, Zhōng shēngs, Zhōngshēngs, Zhǒng shēngs, Zhǒngshēngs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon
Sutta 1: People who experience suffering first, then joy < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Sutta 6: The Buddha's Omniscience of Destinies and Nirvana < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Sutta 1: The Five Desires < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
The Phenomenon of “Tao-for-Buddhism” in Dunhuang Taoist Manuscripts < [Volume 16, Issue 3 (2025)]
Paramārtha’s Ultimate Truth and the Development of Chinese... < [Volume 13, Issue 1 (2022)]
The Pursuit of Universality in Chinese Buddhism < [Volume 16, Issue 4 (2025)]
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)
Chapter 1 - Miracles in the Palace of Trāyastriṃśa Heaven < [Scroll 1]
Chapter 7 - Benefiting the Living and Dead < [Scroll 2]
Chapter 4 - Karmic Retribution for Beings in Jambudvīpa < [Scroll 1]
On the Form and Function of Sanskrit Akṣara in Prajñā-pāramitā-Sūtras and Śāstras < [Volume 80 (2020)]
Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra) (by Nguyen Dac Sy)
1.2. Āryadeva and the Laṅkāvatārasūtra < [Chapter 3 - The Laṅkāvatārasūtra and Hindu Philosophy]
1. Early period (b): The Śrīmālā-sūtra < [Chapter 2 - The Buddha-Nature in the Tathāgatagarbha Literature]
General Introduction < [Introduction]
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)