Proverb / Kotowaza
布施ない経に袈裟を落とす
To perform a service for free only to end up suffering a loss or damage as a result.
Dropping or staining one's monk's stole while chanting sutras for which no alms were provided
Quick Answer
To perform a service for free only to end up suffering a loss or damage as a result.
- Literal Image
- Dropping or staining one's monk's stole while chanting sutras for which no alms were provided
- Closest Equivalent
- No good deed goes unpunished
- How to Use It
- Used when describing a situation where a volunteer effort or a favor backfires, causing the person who helped to lose money or damage their own property.
Meaning
This expression describes a situation where one provides help or service without payment, but instead of just being unpaid, one incurs an actual loss, expense, or damage. It emphasizes the frustration of a selfless effort that results in a negative outcome rather than just zero reward.
Literal Image
Dropping or staining one's monk's stole while chanting sutras for which no alms were provided
Equivalent Proverbs
No good deed goes unpunished
Both describe a situation where helpful actions lead to a negative result for the doer.
How to Use It
Used when describing a situation where a volunteer effort or a favor backfires, causing the person who helped to lose money or damage their own property.
Tone
Can be used to express dissatisfaction or irony regarding a situation that was not worth the effort.
Examples
タダで手伝ったのに、かえって材料費まで負担させられた。布施ない経に袈裟を落とすとはこのことだ。
I helped out for free, but I ended up having to pay for the materials myself. This is exactly what they mean by 'dropping one's stole while chanting for no alms'.
ボランティアで参加したのに、自分の持ち物まで壊してしまった。まさに布施ない経に袈裟を落とすだ。
I participated as a volunteer, but I ended up breaking my own belongings. It really was a case of dropping one's stole while chanting for no alms.
頼まれて作業したのに修理費を請求された。布施ない経に袈裟を落とすで、全く割に合わない話だ。
I was asked to do some work and then I was actually charged for the repair costs. Chanting for no alms and dropping the stole; it just doesn't add up.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses specialized Buddhist vocabulary like 'fuse' and 'kesa', and the grammatical structure is slightly literary.
布施
ふせ / fuse
alms or offering given to a monk
経
きょう / kyou
Buddhist sutra
袈裟
けさ / kesa
Buddhist priest's stole or robe
落とす
おとす / otosu
to drop, lose, or stain
Usage Profile
Usage note: This can sound like you are complaining about a lack of payment, so use it carefully in professional settings.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to simply mean 'unpaid work'; it specifically requires that an additional loss or cost was incurred.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from Buddhist terminology. It describes a scenario where a monk recites sutras (経) without receiving an offering (布施) for his service, and in the process, accidentally dirties or damages his monastic robe (袈裟). This represents a situation where a selfless act results in personal loss.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.