Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To hold a ceremony marking the end of the summer retreat: Refers specifically to the Buddhist monastic practice of conducting a ritual to formally conclude the three-month summer retreat period (known as "an cư kiết hạ" or "an cư mùa hè").
   • To mark the end of summer (in a Buddhist context): Indicates the ceremonial conclusion of the summer season within the religious calendar of Vietnamese Buddhism.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Sau ba tháng an cư, các chùa sẽ tổ chức lễ ra hè. (After three months of retreat, pagodas will hold the ceremony marking the end of the summer retreat.)
  • Lễ ra hè là một nghi thức quan trọng trong Phật giáo. (The ceremony marking the end of the summer retreat is an important ritual in Buddhism.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is specific to Vietnamese Buddhist tradition and culture. It is not used in a general, secular context to simply mean "summer is over."
• The ceremony involves rituals where monks confess any transgressions of monastic rules during the retreat and receive blessings for their dedication.

Variants and Related Words

• An cư kiết hạ / An cư mùa hè (n): The summer retreat itself; the three-month period during the rainy season when monks remain in one temple for intensive study and meditation.
• Kết hạ (v): Another term for concluding the summer retreat; synonymous with "ra hè."
• Tự tứ (n): A key ceremony performed during "ra hè," where monks invite constructive criticism from their peers.

Synonyms

• Kết thúc mùa an cư hè: To conclude the summer retreat.
• Làm lễ mãn hạ: To hold the ceremony for the completion of the summer retreat.

Notes on Meaning

• The term is archaic in general secular use but remains current and specific within Buddhist religious practice.
• It does not mean simply "summer is over" or "the start of autumn" in everyday modern Vietnamese. For those general concepts, terms like "hết hè" or "sang thu" are used.

1. Hold a ceremony for the end of summer