Sociolinguistics of ‘khổ tâm’

Can anyone help me understand the sociolinguistic origins or use of the term " khổ tâm’"? An interviewee has used it to distinguish her suffering from the law of "nhan qua", which she rejects as applicable to her situation. Bui Phung's dictionary defines it in a way that seems appropriate to her use: moral suffering; the suffering caused by doing a moral action. In her terms, this was sacrificing her youth to her country. It is possible that she merely meant the simpler translation of "ashamed", but the former translation seems to fit the context better. Too late now to go back to her to ask for clarification. If someone can help me understand the philosophical lineage of this term and its current use (or tell me I'm barking up the wrong tree), I'd be grateful! Diane

Hi Diane:

I am typing this up in an intenet cafe in Saion, so pardon any typo or lack of clarity!

" k hổ tâm" is a very old term: “ khổ ” means pain, suffering, discomfort, anguish (dukkha)

" tâm means "mind, heart". Hence - I feel anguished, pained, etc.

From the details you provided, it appears that she had sacrificed her youth to serve the national cause (she wasn't doing anything wrong), but perhaps ends up with a situation that causes her a lot of anguish (she should deserve better). The worse, perhaps, is the fact that there is no way for her to correct the situation, to appeal to a higher authority, to redress the imbalance (or injustice). Hence, the unresolvable

anguish (" k h ổ t â m") .

Without more contextual support, it could not be directly translated as "ashamed" although "shame" may be one possible cause of the anguish (the situation might make her feel "shameful", which leads to her feeling "anguished").

As for the law of "nha^n qua?", it is much more complicated in Buddhist doctrine than ususally popularly believed. For example, the "qua?" (effect) could be derived from one's own personal actions ("bie^.t nghie^.p/personal karma) or from the "qua?" of the group one belongs to ("co^.ng nghie^.p"/group karma). Of either one, it could be immediately following (which could be easily understood, or delayed (whose causes go back much further and one may not be presently aware of). This is the kind of things that Thich Nhat Hanh very effectively addresses in his books ("Anger", "Peace in every step", etc.)

As you have pointed out, the best thing is to ask the interviewee. Without more concrete details, all the above are just mere speculation.

Nguyen Ba Chung

Hi Diane and Chung,

Here is the definition of KHO TAM from "Tu Dien Han Viet Tu Nguyen" by Buu Ke:

" khổ : lo l ắ ng" (=worry)

" T â m: l ò ng" (=heart)

"Long lo lang, dan vat; vi du, "Co nhung chuyen kho tam nhung khong biet tho lo cung ai." [ heart worries and torments); for example, "There are painful and worrying stories but I do not know whom to confide to"].

Therefore, I believe KHO TAM = LONG LO LANG, DAN VAT [tormented and worried heart; heart worries and torments]

I heard this "kho tam" very frequently from my mother. I am from Hue. Buu Ke is my uncle.

Best,

Lien Huong