1.
before the Buddhist altar; in front of Buddha
The space in front of a Buddhist altar (仏壇) or image of the Buddha, where offerings are made and prayers are said. Also used in 御仏前, the label on condolence money offered after the funeral.
仏前に花を供える。
To offer flowers before the Buddhist altar.
毎朝仏前で手を合わせる。
Every morning I put my hands together in prayer before the altar.
香典袋には「御仏前」と書いて法要に持参した。
I wrote 'go-butsuzen' on the condolence envelope and brought it to the memorial service.
Refers to the area before the household altar or a Buddha image, the place for offerings and prayer. The polite form 御仏前 labels condolence money given at or after the 四十九日 memorial, in contrast to 御霊前 used before it.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 仏前に供える: to make an offering before the altar
- 御仏前: label for condolence money after the funeral
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 仏壇: Buddhist household altar — the altar itself
- 御霊前: 'before the spirit' — condolence-money label used before the 49th-day rite