仏 壇(ぶつだん)

ぶつだん

noun

Buddhist altar

1. Buddhist household altar; butsudan

A wooden cabinet-style altar found in many Japanese homes, used for enshrining Buddhist objects, memorial tablets for deceased family members, and making daily offerings.

毎朝(まいあさ)仏壇(ぶつだん)に手(て)を合(あ)わせる。

I pray at the Buddhist altar every morning.

仏壇(ぶつだん)にご飯(はん)とお茶(ちゃ)を供(そな)えた。

I offered rice and tea at the Buddhist altar.

祖父(そふ)の命日(めいにち)に仏壇(ぶつだん)の前(まえ)でお経(きょう)を読(よ)んだ。

I read sutras in front of the Buddhist altar on my grandfather's death anniversary.

Butsudan components

位牌(いはい) (memorial tablet for deceased)
本尊(ほんぞん) (principal Buddha image)
香炉(こうろ) (incense burner)
燭台(しょくだい) (candlestick)
花立(はなた)て (flower vase)
鈴(りん) (bell)

Daily practices

お供(そな)え物(もの)をする (to make offerings - water, rice, flowers, incense)
手(て)を合(あ)わせる (to press palms together in prayer)
線香(せんこう)を上(あ)げる (to light incense)

Similar words

神棚(かみだな) (Shinto household altar) - for kami worship
仏壇(ぶつだん) - for Buddhist practice and ancestor veneration

Modern trend: Smaller, modern-style 仏壇(ぶつだん) are becoming popular in apartments where space is limited.

Related Words

Related: 位牌(いはい) (memorial tablet)

Compare: 神棚(かみだな) (Shinto altar)

Related: 念珠(ねんじゅ) (prayer beads)

Related: 仏具(ぶつぐ) (Buddhist altar fittings)

Compare: 仏前(ぶつぜん) (before the Buddhist altar)

general

Added 2026.1.19 8:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

07000/07116_butsudan