On the Exegetical Broadening of Nôm Particle Chưng: Evidence from the Cổ Châu Pháp Vân Phật Bản Hạnh Ngữ Lục

This article should be viewed as a squib examining various functions of the empty particle chưng 蒸 as observed in the early modern Buddhist hagiographic text known as the Record of the Native Practices of the Cloud Dharma Buddha of Cổ Châu (Cổ Châu Pháp Vân Phật Bản Hạnh Ngữ Lục). It presents some novel data regarding the behavior of vernacular Vietnamese (VV) particle chưng 蒸, and raises a possible explanation for the links between diverse attested functions. The author hopes that scholars trained in both synchronic and diachronic syntax will be able to deepen the suggestions made in this short exploration.