bonze
Definition
- Noun:
- A Buddhist monk, especially one from East Asia (such as Japan, China, or Vietnam). The term is often used in a historical or somewhat formal context.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The bonze chanted sutras in the temple at dawn. (The Buddhist monk recited sacred texts early in the morning.)
- Western travelers in the 19th century were fascinated by the rituals of the bonze. (Foreign visitors observed the monk's religious practices with curiosity.)
Advanced Usage
- "bonze" can carry a slightly exotic or antiquated tone in English, rarely used in modern conversation but found in travel writing, historical novels, or academic discussions of Asian Buddhism.
- The bonze, dressed in saffron robes, walked silently through the garden. (The monk, in traditional Buddhist attire, moved quietly.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bonzery (n): a Buddhist monastery or temple (rare, often humorous or historical).
- The bonzery was hidden among the bamboo groves. (The Buddhist monastery was secluded in the forest.)
Synonyms
- Monk: a male member of a religious order who lives a contemplative life.
- Bhikkhu: a fully ordained Buddhist monk (Pali term).
- Priest: a person authorized to perform religious rites (broader term, but sometimes used for Buddhist clergy).
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
- No common idioms or phrasal verbs are associated with "bonze," as it is a specific, somewhat archaic term.
Related Idioms
- None. The word is not used in idiomatic expressions in standard English.
Additional Notes
- The term "bonze" is derived from Japanese "bonsō" (坊僧) or Portuguese "bonzo," and entered English in the 16th century. It is not a derogatory term but is less respectful than simply saying "Buddhist monk" in modern English.