bà-la-môn
Definition
- Proper noun:
- Brahmin: A member of the highest priestly caste or varna in the traditional Hindu caste system, historically responsible for religious rituals, teaching, and the preservation of sacred knowledge.
- Brahmanism: The early religious and social system from which Hinduism developed, centered on the Vedas and the rituals performed by the Brahmins.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- Trong xã hội Ấn Độ cổ đại, các bà-la-môn nắm giữ quyền lực tôn giáo. (In ancient Indian society, the Brahmins held religious authority.)
- Đạo Bà-la-môn là tiền thân của Ấn Độ giáo. (Brahmanism is the precursor to Hinduism.)
Advanced Usage
- "tầng lớp bà-la-môn": the Brahmin class/caste.
- Tầng lớp bà-la-môn được kính trọng vì học vấn uyên thâm. (The Brahmin caste is respected for its profound scholarship.)
Variants and Related Words
- Brahman (Bà-la-môn): Often used interchangeably with "Brahmin" in English to refer to the priestly class. In philosophical contexts, "Brahman" (neut.) refers to the ultimate, impersonal reality in Hindu philosophy, which is a distinct concept.
- Brahmanism (Đạo Bà-la-môn): The religion and social system associated with the Brahmins.
- Brahminical (thuộc về bà-la-môn): Pertaining to Brahmins or their traditions.
- Các nghi lễ bà-la-môn rất phức tạp. (Brahminical rituals are very complex.)
Synonyms
- Priest (thầy tư tế, giáo sĩ): A general term for a religious leader who performs rituals. (Note: Specifically refers to a Brahmin in the Hindu context.)
- Pundit (học giả): A learned person or expert, originally referring to a Hindu scholar, often a Brahmin.
Notes on Different Meanings
- The term "bà-la-môn" in Vietnamese specifically refers to the social/priestly class (Brahmin) or the historical religion (Brahmanism). It is distinct from the philosophical concept of "Brahman" (the ultimate reality), which in Vietnamese is often translated as "Phạm Thiên" or "Đại Ngã".
- Avoid confusing "Brahmin" (the caste) with "Brahman" (the cosmic principle) in English explanations, though the Vietnamese term "bà-la-môn" is used for the former.