principle

(Buddhism) three priests who administer certain Buddhist temples / (Confucianism) the three fundamental bonds (lord–subject, parent–child, and husband–wife) most valued in Confucian philosophy

to swear, to pledge, to make an oath, to vow

an oath, pledge / (Shinto, Buddhism) vow that the Buddha pledged to save sentient beings

conjunctive form of 誓う (chikau) [godan]

護る: to protect, to defend / to watch carefully / to abide (by rules), to observe (regulations)

(archaic) to stand watch over something, to be on the lookout for something (such as a watchman controlling entry to a place) / (archaic) to protect or defend something, to ensure that something is safe

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out / (Classical Japanese) to protect something, to take care of something

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out / (Classical Japanese) to protect something, to take care of something

(Classical Japanese) to be watching continuously, to be on watch repeatedly, to be on look out