Definition

1. Verb:
   • To release captured animals (as a Buddhist act of compassion): The primary meaning refers to the Buddhist practice of freeing live animals (such as birds, fish, or turtles) that have been caught, as a meritorious deed to cultivate compassion and accumulate good karma.
   • (Figurative) To neglect, to leave uncared for: A figurative extension meaning to abandon something, to leave it unattended and without proper care or maintenance.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Literal - Releasing animals):
  • Mỗi dịp lễ, bà tôi thường đi phóng sinh chim. (Every holiday, my grandmother often goes to release birds.)
  • Phóng sinh cá là một hành động từ bi. (Releasing fish is an act of compassion.)
• Verb (Figurative - Neglecting):
  • Căn nhà ấy bị chủ bỏ phóng sinh đã nhiều năm. (That house has been left neglected by its owner for many years.)
  • Anh ta phóng sinh khu vườn, để cỏ mọc um tùm. (He neglected the garden, letting the weeds grow wild.)

Advanced Usage

• The literal act of "phóng sinh" is deeply tied to Buddhist beliefs. It is often performed on special days (e.g., Vesak, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month) at temples, rivers, or lakes. The intention is to save life and practice non-harm ().
• In its figurative sense, "phóng sinh" implies a conscious or careless decision to stop maintaining or caring for something, leading to its deterioration. It carries a stronger negative connotation than simply "forgetting" or "being busy."

Variants and Related Words

• Sự phóng sinh (Noun): The act of releasing animals/neglecting.
  • Sự phóng sinh thể hiện lòng thương xót chúng sinh. (The act of releasing animals demonstrates compassion for living beings.)
• Phóng thích (Verb): To release, to set free (more general, often used in legal or official contexts like releasing prisoners, not specifically for Buddhist practice).
  • Chính phủ đã phóng thích tù nhân chính trị. (The government released political prisoners.)

Synonyms

• Thả (Verb): To release, to let go (neutral, general term for releasing anything).
• Bỏ mặc (Verb): To abandon, to leave to its fate (closer to the figurative meaning of neglect).
• Lơ là (Verb): To neglect, to be inattentive (general neglect).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Phóng sinh phóng túng": This is a play on words. "Phóng túng" means to be unrestrained, undisciplined. The phrase humorously or critically suggests that the act of "releasing" (animals) is done in a careless or irresponsible manner, or more broadly, that someone is living/acting without any discipline.

1. Set free (animals caught)
2. Leave uncared for, neglect
   • Nhà cửa để phóng sinh
     To leave one's house uncared for