na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun
rising above worldly trivia; calm and selfless detachment
Archaic yojijukugo describing an ideal of serene detachment from worldly concerns, often associated with Daoist or Zen aesthetics. Not used in modern everyday speech.
He watched the commotion of the world with a calm and selfless detachment.
It is not easy to reach a state of serene transcendence over worldly affairs.
恬淡 alone means 'disinterested' or 'indifferent to worldly gain'; 虚無恬淡 adds the nuance of 'rising above the trivial' with a stronger philosophical or aesthetic flavor.
無欲 is a common modern word for 'unselfish' or 'free from greed'; 虚無恬淡 is an archaic, elevated expression with a broader sense of spiritual detachment.
A yojijukugo combining 虚無 (kyomu, 'nothingness' or 'vanity') and 恬淡 (tentan, 'disinterested' or 'calm'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase reflects classical Chinese-influenced ideals of detachment.