trụ trì

trụ trì

Nhà sư trụ trì đang tưới nước cho cây trong sân chùa.

Definition

  1. Verb:

    • To be the abbot/abbess or head monk/nun in charge: The primary meaning of "trụ trì" refers to the act of residing in and being responsible for the overall management, spiritual leadership, and daily affairs of a Buddhist temple or pagoda.
    • To oversee and administer: It specifically denotes the sustained duty of presiding over all religious and administrative matters within a specific temple.

  2. Noun:

    • The abbot/abbess; the head monk/nun in charge: When used as a noun, "trụ trì" refers to the person who holds the position of being the resident leader and chief administrator of a temple.
Usage Examples

  • Verb:

    • Sư thầy đã trụ trì ngôi chùa này được hai mươi năm. (The venerable monk has been the abbot of this pagoda for twenty years.)
    • Bà sẽ trụ trì ngôi chùa mới. (She will become the abbess in charge of the new temple.)

  • Noun:

    • Vị trụ trì rất được kính trọng. (The abbot is highly respected.)
    • Chúng tôi xin phép vị trụ trì. (We asked permission from the head monk.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term is almost exclusively used within the context of Buddhist institutions and implies a formal, settled position of authority and spiritual guidance.
  • It combines the ideas of "trụ" (to reside, to be anchored) and "trì" (to maintain, to uphold), emphasizing both physical presence and the duty of sustaining the temple's practices and community.
Variants and Related Words
  • Trụ (v): to stay, to reside, to be stationed.
  • Chủ trì (v): to chair, to host, to be in charge of (a meeting or event). Note: While "chủ trì" shares the concept of presiding, "trụ trì" is specific to religious temple leadership.
Synonyms
  • To administer: to manage the affairs of (a temple).
  • To oversee: to supervise (the temple's operations).
  • Abbot/Abbess: the head of a religious community (specific synonyms for the noun form).
Related Terms
  • Sư trụ trì: a more explicit term for the monk or nun who is the abbot/abbess.
  • Chùa (n): pagoda, temple (the institution overseen by the "trụ trì").
  • Tu hành (v): to practice religion, to lead a monastic life (the primary activity of a "trụ trì").