Definition
衣钵 originally refers to a Buddhist monk's robe (衣) and alms bowl (钵), which the master physically passes to the disciple he chooses as his successor. Today it is used metaphorically to mean the 'legacy' or 'mantle' of a skill, tradition, or profession — what one inherits from a predecessor or mentor. The word is formal and literary, often appearing in contexts of art, scholarship, or martial arts.
noun
[Buddhist] monk's mantle and alms-bowl (handed to a chosen disciple)legacymantle (of a skill, tradition, or body of knowledge)
Examples
- 衣钵。Zhè wèi dàshī jiāng zìjǐ de yī chuán gěi le zuì déyì de dìzǐ.The master passed on his mantle and alms-bowl to his most favored disciple.
- 衣钵，。Tā jìchéng le lǎoshī de yī, jìxù yánjiū zhè mén xuéwèn.He inherited his teacher's legacy and continued studying this field of knowledge.
- 衣钵。Zhè wèi huàjiā zài wǎnnián jiāng zìjǐ de yī chuánshòu gěi le niánqīng de túdì.The painter passed on his artistic legacy to his young apprentice in his later years.
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