Work, Diligence

Interesting Fact

In Japanese Buddhism, 勤行 (ごんぎょう) refers to the regular practice of reciting sutras, prayers, or chants as part of one's daily religious discipline. The word uses 勤, the same kanji found in 勤める (つとめる), “to work” or “serve.” Here, 勤 is not about earning money—it carries the older idea of devoting yourself to a duty and performing it diligently. A monk repeating the same prayers every morning is, in a sense, “working” at his spiritual practice.