Japanese Conversation · Level 78
76 words
Japanese word
本山
Pronunciation
Romajihonzan
Meaning
- nounhead temple
Example
この寺はその宗派の本山です。ko no tera wa so no shū ha no hon zan de su
This temple is the head temple of that sect.
More examples
本山では、毎年多くの僧侶が重要な行事に参加します。hon zan de wa mai toshi ō ku no sō ryo ga jū yō na gyō ji ni san ka shi ma su
At the head temple, many monks take part in important ceremonies every year.
Core concept
Refers to the temple that serves as the central base of a Buddhist sect.
Common phrases
本山に参拝するhon zan ni san pai su ru
worship at the head temple
本山を訪れるhon zan o otozu re ru
visit the head temple
本山で修行するhon zan de shu gyō su ru
train at the head temple
Similar words
総本山sōhonzan: The highest-ranking central temple of a Buddhist sect.
Definition in Japanese
宗派の中心となる寺院。shū ha no chū shin to na ru ji in
Word origin
本山 (honzan) combines 本 (hon, "origin") and 山 (san, "mountain"), reflecting the Buddhist use of a mountain as the site of a central temple.
Usage tips
- 本山 (honzan) is commonly translated as "head temple," although the term identifies a sect's central temple rather than a temple that must stand on a mountain.