Definition

1. Noun:
   • Elder fellow monk: A respectful and affectionate term used among Buddhist monks and nuns to address a male monastic who is senior in terms of ordination age or spiritual practice.
   • Senior monastic brother: A form of address denoting a fraternal bond within the monastic community, where the speaker acknowledges the addressee's higher standing in the religious order.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sư huynh của tôi rất từ bi và hiểu biết. (My elder fellow monk is very compassionate and knowledgeable.)
  • Xin mời sư huynh giảng giải thêm về bài kinh này. (Please, senior brother, explain more about this sutra.)
  • Chúng tôi luôn kính trọng và nghe lời chỉ dạy của các vị sư huynh. (We always respect and follow the guidance of our senior monastic brothers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is specific to the Buddhist monastic context in Vietnam. It is not used in secular or family settings.
• It implies both respect for seniority and a sense of spiritual brotherhood within the (monastic community).
• The female equivalent is "sư tỷ" (elder fellow nun, senior monastic sister).

Variants and Related Words

• Sư phụ (noun): Master, teacher-monk. A term for one's direct spiritual teacher or preceptor, indicating a higher level of reverence than "sư huynh."
• Sư đệ (noun): Junior fellow monk, younger monastic brother. The term used by a senior monk to address or refer to a junior monk.
• Đạo hữu (noun): Fellow practitioner. A more general term for a companion on the spiritual path, which can be used by lay Buddhists.

Synonyms

• Anh cả trong đạo (noun): Elder brother in the Dharma. A descriptive synonym emphasizing the fraternal and spiritual relationship.
• Bậc đàn anh (noun): The senior one. A general term for a senior person in any field, which can contextually refer to a senior monk.

Related Phrases

• Kính bạch sư huynh: A formal and respectful opening phrase meaning "Respectfully reporting to you, elder brother," used when seeking advice or speaking formally to a senior monk.
• Thưa sư huynh: A polite address meaning "(I) address you, elder brother," used in direct conversation.

Related Idioms

• Kính trên nhường dưới: An idiom meaning "Respect those above, yield to those below." It encapsulates the hierarchical yet harmonious principle within which terms like "sư huynh" are used, promoting respect for seniors and care for juniors in the monastic community.

noun

1. fellow