DDB Access

The Description of DDB Access

Site Editorial Commentary：DDB Access

## DDB Access: Your Gateway to Buddhist and Chinese Scholarship on Android

DDB Access is a free Android application providing access to the *Digital dictionary of Buddhism (DDB)* and the *CJKV-E (Classical Chinese)* dictionary, collaborative works edited by Charles Muller. This app offers a powerful and accessible way to delve into the rich world of Buddhist and classical Chinese texts directly on your Android device.

**Key Features and Benefits:**

* **Free Access:** Enjoy free access to the dictionaries with a simple 'guest' login (no password required), allowing for 20 searches per dictionary within a 24-hour period. Contribute to unlock unlimited access.
* **Comprehensive Search:** Search by Chinese characters, meanings, or pinyin. The app supports pinyin searches, requiring tones for single characters but not for words.
* **SmartHanzi Recognition:** The SmartHanzi feature intelligently recognizes both simplified and traditional Chinese characters, including multiple traditional variants (e.g., 真 and 眞). It also handles character variations like 為/爲 and 眾/衆.
* **Contextual Lookup and Parsing:** Copy full text with immediate access to unknown words. Lookup provides meanings, related words, character details, and cross-links. Customize the display to suit your needs, making learning easier.
* **Etymology Exploration:** Discover the etymology of Chinese characters through two sources:
* The Etymological Dictionary of Han/Chinese Characters by Lawrence J. Howell and Hikaru Morimoto (English).
* 177 etymological lessons from Dr. L. Wieger, S.J. "caractères chinois" (French).

Explore character origins, understanding that, for many, the traditional explanations are as valuable as the real origins in learning.
* **readings in Multiple languages:** View pronunciations in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Vietnamese.
* **My Words Feature:** Mark words with red (unknown), yellow (review), or green (known) statuses from various lists or lookup pages to track your learning progress.
* **Character Series:** Explore character lists by Kangxi radical, phonetic series (Wieger), or etymology (Kanji Networks, Wieger).

**For Scholars and Learners:**

While the DDB and CJKV-E dictionaries are primarily resources for scholars, DDB Access makes them accessible to a wider audience. The app is a valuable tool for anyone studying Buddhism, Chinese language, or related fields. The etymology features are especially useful for students at all levels, aiding in character memorization and comprehension.

**Development and Maintenance:**

The DDB/CJKV-E servers were developed and maintained by Michael Beddow for about two decades, now under the responsibility of Paul Hackett.

**Tablet Optimization:**

For the best experience on tablets, use the landscape view.

**note for Contributors:**

Contributors can gain unlimited access by submitting a 350+ word entry as specified on the Buddhism-dict.net website. Contributors are expected to have completed a graduate degree equivalent to M.A. level in a relevant field of study.