皈依

guīyī

verb #20,197

Meanings

1 to convert to (a religion)
2 to take refuge in (Buddhism)
3 to be initiated into a faith

Characters

to return to, to take refuge in

to rely on, to follow

Examples

他在三十岁时皈依了佛教。

Tā zài sānshí suì shí guīyī le Fójiào.

He converted to Buddhism at the age of thirty.

她皈依基督教已经十年了。

Tā guīyī Jīdūjiào yǐjīng shí nián le.

She has been a Christian convert for ten years.

Tips

culture

In Buddhism, 皈依 specifically refers to taking the Three Refuges (三皈依, sān guīyī): refuge in the Buddha (佛), the Dharma (法), and the Sangha (僧). This is the formal act of becoming a Buddhist layperson. The term is also used more broadly for converting to other religions.

Stroke Order

皈 guī

依 yī