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.
浄土宗の本山は知恩院だ。
The head temple of the Jodo sect is Chion-in.
修行僧たちは本山で厳しい修行を積む。
Trainee monks undergo rigorous training at the head temple.
この寺は地方の末寺で、年に一度本山に報告を行う義務がある。
This temple is a local branch temple and has an obligation to report to the head temple once a year.
Composed of 本 (main, original) and 山 (mountain — temples are traditionally built on mountains). In Japanese Buddhism, each sect has a hierarchical structure with the 本山 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:
- 総本山: grand head temple (the supreme temple of a sect)
- 大本山: great head temple
- 本山と末寺: head temple and branch temples
- 本山派遣: dispatched from the head temple
- 本山の許可: permission from the head temple
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 末寺: branch temple — a subordinate temple under the authority of the 本山
- 本堂: main hall — the principal worship hall within a single temple complex, not the head temple of a sect
- 菩提寺: family temple — a temple associated with a particular family for funerals and memorial services