cửa không

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Buddhist temple, pagoda: "Cửa không" is an archaic, literary term referring to a Buddhist temple or pagoda. It originates from the Buddhist concept of "emptiness" (không), as Buddhism teaches that all worldly phenomena are ultimately empty of inherent existence. Therefore, the "gate of emptiness" metaphorically represents the Buddhist religion or its places of worship.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Nhà sư trở về cửa không sau nhiều năm hành hương. (The monk returned to the Buddhist temple after many years of pilgrimage.)
  • Thiền định là pháp môn quan trọng nơi cửa không. (Meditation is an important practice within the Buddhist pagoda.)

Advanced Usage

• Literary/Archaic Context: This term is primarily found in classical Vietnamese poetry, literature, or religious texts. It is not used in modern everyday conversation.
  • Trong thơ cổ, "cửa không" thường tượng trưng cho nơi tu hành, tĩnh lặng. (In ancient poetry, "cửa không" often symbolizes a place of religious practice and tranquility.)

Variants and Related Words

• Không môn (Noun): A Sino-Vietnamese term with the same meaning ("gate of emptiness"), directly referring to Buddhism.
  • Ông ấy đã quy y nơi Không môn. (He took refuge in Buddhism.)
• Chùa (Noun): The common, modern Vietnamese word for a Buddhist temple or pagoda.
  • Chúng tôi đi chùa vào mùng một. (We go to the pagoda on the first day of the lunar month.)
• Thiền môn (Noun): Literally "gate of Zen," referring to Zen Buddhist temples or the Zen school.
  • Vị thiền sư sống an nhiên nơi thiền môn. (The Zen master lives peacefully in the Zen temple.)

Synonyms

• Pagoda: A Buddhist temple, typically a tiered tower.
• Monastery: A building or complex where monks live.
• Vihara: A Buddhist monastery or temple.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Cửa Phật: Literally "gate of Buddha," another literary term for a Buddhist temple.
  • Bà đã dành cả đời mình nơi cửa Phật. (She spent her whole life at the Buddhist temple.)
• Bước chân vào cửa không: To enter the Buddhist order; to become a monk or nun.
  • Sau biến cố, anh ấy quyết định bước chân vào cửa không. (After the incident, he decided to enter the Buddhist monastic life.)