Japanese word

本堂

Pronunciation

Romajihondō

Meaning

  • nounmain hall

Example

寺の本堂は大きいです。tera no hon dō wa ō ki i de su

The temple's main hall is large.

Illustration for 本堂 (main hall)

More examples

参拝者は本堂で静かにお参りします。san pai sha wa hon dō de shizu ka ni o mai ri shi ma su

Visitors pray quietly in the main hall.

Core concept

Refers to the principal temple building that serves as the main place for worship and houses the temple's central object of devotion.

Common phrases

  • 本堂の前hon dō no mae

    in front of the main hall

  • 本堂に入るhon dō ni hai ru

    enter the main hall

Similar words

仏殿butsuden: A Buddhist temple hall where a Buddha image is enshrined and worshiped.
金堂kondō: A major hall in a traditional Buddhist temple that houses a central religious image.

Definition in Japanese

寺院で最も重要な礼拝の場となる建物で、本尊を安置する堂。ji in de motto mo jū yō na rei hai no ba to na ru tate mono de hon zon o an chi su ru dō

Word origin

本堂 (hondō, "main hall") joins 本 (hon, "main or central") and 堂 (dō, "hall or religious building"), describing the temple hall at the center of religious activity.

Usage tips

  • In Zen temple descriptions, 仏殿 (butsuden) may name the Buddha hall, while 本堂 (hondō) is a broader term used for the principal hall in many other temple traditions.

Word lists with this word