thỉnh kinh
Definition
- Verb (Historical/Buddhist):
- To request or go to obtain Buddhist sutras/canonical texts: The primary meaning refers to the historical act of traveling, often on a formal mission, to a foreign country (traditionally China or India) to procure sacred Buddhist scriptures for study and dissemination in one's homeland.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Nhà vua cử một phái đoàn sang Trung Quốc thỉnh kinh. (The king sent a delegation to China to obtain Buddhist sutras.)
- Theo sử sách, các nhà sư đã thỉnh kinh và mang về nhiều bộ kinh quý. (According to historical records, the monks obtained sutras and brought back many precious canonical texts.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in historical or religious contexts describing pre-modern Buddhist practice. It implies a journey of great effort, piety, and official purpose.
Variants and Related Words
- Thỉnh (v): to invite, to request (something revered, like a monk or sacred object). This is the root verb.
- Kinh (n): sutra; Buddhist scripture or canonical text.
Synonyms
- Obtain sutras: To acquire Buddhist scriptures.
- Procure canonical texts: To formally get hold of religious texts.
Related Concepts
- Tây du / Thỉnh kinh Tây Trúc: Journey to the West / To obtain sutras from India. This directly references the famous Chinese novel , which is based on the historical pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang (Huyền Trang) to India to obtain Buddhist texts.