What is the difference between 妙諦 and 原理?


They both seem to have translation as "fundamental truth" or "cardinal
principle" except 原理 seems to be much more common than 妙諦. Does anyone have
some information on the nuance of these two or how they are used differently
in a sentence?




Kenkyusha’s 新和英中辞典 translates “原理” as “a principle, a tenet and a law,“ but it
doesn’t provides the translation of "妙諦," perhaps because of the relative low
incidences of its usage.

大辞林 published by Sanseido defines "妙諦" as "優れた真理 - the superlative truth,” and
新明解国語辞典 published by Sanseido defines it as "そのものの存在として高く評価できる良さ - excellence
that can be highly evaluated as a being on its own," which I think is a bit
obscure.

Thus broadly speaking, “原理” refers to a principle, and "妙諦" refers to truth.

We say “そこに禅の（武道の、茶道の、書道の）妙諦がある - There is the ultimate truth (or goal, tenet,
secret) of Zen (or Japanese martial art, tea ceremony, caligraphy).”

"妙諦" is often used for the meaning of "the essence of teaching" like ”禅の妙諦,"
but it isn’t always connected with Buddhism. It can be applied to anything
such as studies, arts, sports, games, techniques, and the way of life that you
challenge.




Kenkyusha’s 新和英中辞典 translates “原理” as “a principle, a tenet and a law,“ but it
doesn’t provides the translation of "妙諦," perhaps because of the relative low
incidences of its usage.

大辞林 published by Sanseido defines "妙諦" as "優れた真理 - the superlative truth,” and
新明解国語辞典 published by Sanseido defines it as "そのものの存在として高く評価できる良さ - excellence
that can be highly evaluated as a being on its own," which I think is a bit
obscure.

Thus broadly speaking, “原理” refers to a principle, and "妙諦" refers to truth.

We say “そこに禅の（武道の、茶道の、書道の）妙諦がある - There is the ultimate truth (or goal, tenet,
secret) of Zen (or Japanese martial art, tea ceremony, caligraphy).”

"妙諦" is often used for the meaning of "the essence of teaching" like ”禅の妙諦,"
but it isn’t always connected with Buddhism. It can be applied to anything
such as studies, arts, sports, games, techniques, and the way of life that you
challenge.

