Tử Văn đốt đền
Proper Noun: - "Tử Văn đốt đền" (Tử Văn Burns the Temple): This is the title of a famous story from the classical Vietnamese work "Truyền kỳ mạn lục" (A Collection of Fantastic Tales) by Nguyễn Dữ. It refers to the specific tale in which the protagonist, Ngô Tử Văn, burns down a temple to destroy a malevolent spirit.
Cultural/Literary Reference: - The act of Tử Văn burning the temple: This phrase symbolizes a righteous and courageous act of defiance against corrupt supernatural forces or unjust authority. It represents standing up for justice, even at great personal risk.
Proper Noun:
- "Tử Văn đốt đền" là một trong những truyện nổi tiếng nhất trong "Truyền kỳ mạn lục". ("Tử Văn Burns the Temple" is one of the most famous stories in "A Collection of Fantastic Tales".)
- Hành động của Tử Văn đốt đền thể hiện sự khẳng khái. (Tử Văn's act of burning the temple demonstrates his upright and indomitable character.)
Cultural Reference:
- Anh ấy dám lên tiếng phản đối, quả thật là Tử Văn đốt đền. (He dared to speak up in opposition; he is truly like Tử Văn burning the temple.)
- As an allegory: The story and its title are often used in modern discourse to discuss themes of justice, anti-corruption, and moral courage.
- Vụ án đó khiến dư luận nhớ đến câu chuyện Tử Văn đốt đền. (That case made the public think of the story of Tử Văn burning the temple.)
The story narrates how Ngô Tử Văn, a man of upright and hot-tempered character, burns down a temple that was housing an evil spirit (the ghost of a defeated Mongol general) who was plaguing the local people. After this act, he is sued by the spirit in the Court of the Underworld. Thanks to a fair trial by the King of Hell, who admires Tử Văn's integrity, he is not only acquitted but also appointed as a judge at the Tản Viên temple.
- Khẳng khái (adj): Upright, indomitable (a key trait of Tử Văn's character).
- Công lý Diêm Phủ: The justice of the Underworld (referring to the fair trial he receives).
- Đền Tản Viên: The Tản Viên temple (his eventual post).
- An act of righteous defiance.
- A stand against evil.
The phrase "Tử Văn đốt đền" has transcended its literary origin to become a Vietnamese idiom representing a principled, bold, and just action taken against wickedness or corruption, often in the face of powerful opposition.