sacred fig
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A species of fig tree (Ficus religiosa) native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina, characterized by its large size, long lifespan, and distinctive heart-shaped leaves with long, tapering tips. It is a significant religious symbol in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The sacred fig under which the Buddha attained enlightenment is known as the Bodhi Tree.
- Many temples in Southeast Asia have a sacred fig planted within their grounds.
- The leaves of the sacred fig tremble in the slightest breeze.
Advanced Usage
- "to be regarded as a sacred fig": Used metaphorically to describe something held in the highest reverence or considered inviolable.
- In that community, ancient traditions are regarded as a sacred fig.
- "under the sacred fig": A phrase alluding to a place of meditation, enlightenment, or profound peace.
- He sought clarity, wishing he could sit under the sacred fig and quiet his mind.
Variants and Related Words
- Bodhi Tree (n): The specific name for the sacred fig tree in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama is believed to have attained enlightenment.
- Peepal Tree (n): A common regional name for the sacred fig, widely used in India.
- Ashvattha (n): The Sanskrit name for the sacred fig, found in ancient Hindu texts like the Bhagavad Gita.
Synonyms
- Bodhi tree: (specifically the enlightened tree)
- Peepal tree: (common name)
- Ficus religiosa: (scientific/botanical name)
Related Phrases
- To sit in the shade of the sacred fig: To seek wisdom, peace, or spiritual solace.
- After years of searching, he finally found his answers sitting in the shade of the sacred fig.
Related Idioms
- (As) enduring as the sacred fig: Describing something with great longevity and resilience.
- Their friendship, as enduring as the sacred fig, has lasted a lifetime.
Noun
- fig tree of India noted for great size and longevity; lacks the prop roots of the banyan; regarded as sacred by Buddhists