📖 Meaning
To initiate and advocate something from the very beginning; to be the first to propose or lead a new undertaking. It describes someone who takes the lead in starting a movement or cause.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Song dynasty text 'Hufa Lun' (护法论) by Zhang Shangying (张商英), as cited in the Ming dynasty compilation 'Shuofu' (说郛), Volume 85. In the original Buddhist context, Zhang Shangying argued that the Buddha had no reason to originate doctrines from ignorance and karmic consciousness to lead later generations astray. Over time, the phrase evolved to refer more broadly to anyone who pioneers or first advocates a cause.
💡 Example Usage
这项改革能够成功，全靠他造端倡始，率先提出方案。
The success of this reform was entirely due to him initiating and advocating it, being the first to propose the plan.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 造端倡始
- Pinyin: zào duān chàng shǐ
- Literal Translation: create, beginning, advocate, start
- Category: Leadership
- Characters: 4