本山(ほんざん)

ほんざん
noun
head temple; main temple
writtenspokenreligionculture
1. head temple; main temple of a Buddhist sect
The principal temple of a Buddhist denomination or sect, which serves as the administrative and spiritual center overseeing all branch temples in the sect's network.
浄土宗(じょうどしゅう)の本山(ほんざん)は知恩院(ちおんいん)だ。
The head temple of the Jodo sect is Chion-in.
修行僧(しゅぎょうそう)たちは本山(ほんざん)で厳(きび)しい修行(しゅぎょう)を積(つ)む。
Trainee monks undergo rigorous training at the head temple.
この寺(てら)は地方(ちほう)の末寺(まつじ)で、年(ねん)に一度(いちど)本山(ほんざん)に報告(ほうこく)を行(おこな)う義務(ぎむ)がある。
This temple is a local branch temple and has an obligation to report to the head temple once a year.

Composed of 本(ほん) (main, original) and 山(ざん) (mountain — temples are traditionally built on mountains). In Japanese Buddhism, each sect has a hierarchical structure with the 本山(ほんざん) at the top.

Usage

Most commonly encountered in discussions of Japanese Buddhist history, temple pilgrimages, and cultural heritage. Tourists visiting Kyoto and Nara will frequently see this term in guidebooks and temple descriptions.

Common collocations

  • 総(そう)本山(ほんざん): grand head temple (the supreme temple of a sect)
  • 大(だい)本山(ほんざん): great head temple
  • 本山(ほんざん)と末寺(まつじ): head temple and branch temples
  • 本山(ほんざん)派遣(はけん): dispatched from the head temple
  • 本山(ほんざん)の許可(きょか): permission from the head temple

Similar words

  • 末寺(まつじ): branch temple — a subordinate temple under the authority of the 本山(ほんざん)
  • 本堂(ほんどう): main hall — the principal worship hall within a single temple complex, not the head temple of a sect
  • 菩提寺(ぼだいじ): family temple — a temple associated with a particular family for funerals and memorial services

Related Words

Compare: 本堂(ほんどう) (main hall)
general
Added 2026.4.20 19:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
24500/24639_honzan