Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):
   • To attain enlightenment, to achieve the Way: To reach the highest state of spiritual realization, understanding, or perfection within a religious or philosophical path, often through rigorous practice and cultivation. This term is deeply rooted in Buddhist and Taoist contexts.
   • To become a saint or an immortal: In some contexts, it implies achieving a transcendent state, such as becoming a saint (in folk beliefs) or an immortal (in Taoism).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Sau nhiều năm tu luyện khổ hạnh, vị sư cuối cùng đã đắc đạo. (After many years of ascetic practice, the monk finally attained enlightenment.)
  • Truyền thuyết kể rằng ông ấy đã đắc đạo và bay lên trời. (Legend says he achieved the Way and ascended to heaven.)
  • Mục tiêu tối thượng của người tu hành là đắc đạo. (The ultimate goal of a practitioner is to reach the peak of the Way.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is considered literary and is primarily used in religious, philosophical, or historical contexts. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
• It often describes the culmination of a long and difficult spiritual journey.

Variants and Related Words

• Đạo (n): The Way, the path, the doctrine. This is the core concept that "đắc đạo" builds upon.
• Tu hành (v): To practice religion, to cultivate oneself spiritually. This is the common action leading to "đắc đạo".
• Giác ngộ (v/n): To become enlightened; enlightenment. This is a more general Buddhist term for awakening, which is closely related to "đắc đạo".
• Thành tiên (v): To become an immortal (specifically in Taoist context). This is a specific result of "đắc đạo" in folk Taoism.

Synonyms

• Đạt đến cảnh giới tối cao: To reach the highest realm.
• Giác ngộ viên mãn: To achieve perfect enlightenment.
• Thành chính quả: To attain the true fruit (of practice) – a Buddhist term.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Tu luyện thành tinh: To cultivate/practice until becoming a spirit (often used for non-human beings like foxes in folklore, distinct from the lofty, human-focused "đắc đạo").
• Công viên quả mãn: Merit is complete, fruit is full – indicating the successful completion of spiritual work, a state leading to or synonymous with "đắc đạo".

1. (cũ) Teach the peak of the Way
   • Tu hành đắc đạo
     To reach the peak of the Way in one's religion