sư bà
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Elderly female Buddhist monastic: A respectful term for an older woman who is a fully ordained Buddhist nun, typically implying seniority in age, religious practice, or both within the monastic community.
- Senior nun: Refers specifically to a nun who holds a position of reverence, authority, or advanced spiritual standing due to her long-term dedication to monastic life.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Sư bà đang tụng kinh trong chánh điện. (The elderly nun is chanting sutras in the main hall.)
- Các Phật tử rất kính trọng vị sư bà này. (The Buddhists deeply respect this senior nun.)
- Sư bà trụ trì ngôi chùa này đã hơn ba mươi năm. (The venerable nun has been the abbess of this pagoda for over thirty years.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "sư bà" carries a strong connotation of veneration and is not used for novice nuns or younger nuns. It is a title of respect similar to "venerable" or "reverend mother."
- It is often used in formal address or when referring to a nun in the third person with high esteem.
Variants and Related Words
- Sư cô (n): A term for a younger or novice Buddhist nun. It denotes less seniority than "sư bà."
- Sư cô mới xuất gia hai năm. (The young nun has only been ordained for two years.)
- Ni sư (n): A general, formal term for a Buddhist nun, which can be used regardless of age or seniority.
- Vị ni sư ấy thuyết pháp rất hay. (That nun delivers sermons very well.)
Synonyms
- Elder nun: A nun advanced in age and religious practice.
- Senior bhikkhuni: Using the Pali term for a fully ordained Buddhist nun, with an emphasis on seniority.
- Venerable nun: A title of deep respect for a nun of high standing.
Related Cultural Notes
- In Vietnamese Buddhist contexts, the monastic hierarchy and titles are important. "Sư bà" denotes a specific level of respect and seniority within the nunhood ().
- The term is specific to Mahayana Buddhism, which is prevalent in Vietnam. The equivalent in Theravada Buddhism traditions may differ.
- Elderly female bonze