A , sometimes spelled Butudan, is a

shrine A shrine ( la, scrinium "case or chest for books or papers"; Old French: ''escrin'' "box or case") is a sacred or holy space dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of respect, wherein they ...

commonly found in temples and homes in Japanese Buddhist cultures. A ''butsudan'' is either a defined, often ornate platform or simply a wooden

cabinet Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to: Furniture * Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers * Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets * Filin ...

sometimes crafted with doors that enclose and protect a '' Gohonzon'' or religious icon, typically a statue or painting of a Buddha or

Bodhisattva In Buddhism, a bodhisattva ( ; sa, 𑀩𑁄𑀥𑀺𑀲𑀢𑁆𑀢𑁆𑀯 (Brahmī), translit=bodhisattva, label=Sanskrit) or bodhisatva is a person who is on the path towards bodhi ('awakening') or Buddhahood. In the Early Buddhist schools ...

, or a calligraphic

mandala A mandala ( sa, मण्डल, maṇḍala, circle, ) is a geometric configuration of symbols. In various spiritual traditions, mandalas may be employed for focusing attention of practitioners and adepts, as a spiritual guidance tool, for e ...

scroll. The butsudan's primary use is for paying respects to the Buddha, as well as to family members who have died.

Arrangement

A ''butsudan'' usually contains an array of subsidiary religious accessories, called ''butsugu'', such as candlesticks, incense burners, bells, and platforms for placing offerings such as fruit, tea or rice. Some Buddhist sects place '' ihai'' memorial tablets, ''kakochō'' death registers for deceased relatives, or urns containing the cremated remains of relatives, either within or near the ''butsudan''. The defined space which occupies the Butsudan is referred to as ''Butsuma''. If there are doors used, a Butsudan enshrines the ''Gohonzon'' icon during religious observances, and close after usage. In case of no doors, either a sheet of brocade or white cloth is sometimes placed over to render its sacred space. Traditional Japanese beliefs hold the Butsudan to be a house of the

Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...

, as well as of deceased relatives enshrined within it. In some Buddhist sects, when a Butsudan is replaced or repaired by the family, a re-enshrinement ceremony follows. The arrangement and types of items in and around the ''butsudan'' can vary depending on the sect. A ''butsudan'' usually houses a '' honzon'', a statue or painting of the Buddha or a Buddhist deity that reflects the school which the family follows, though embroidered scrolls containing a mantric or sutric text are also common. Other auxiliary items often found near the ''butsudan'' include tea, water and food (usually fruits or rice), an incense burner, candles, flowers, hanging lamps and evergreens. A '' rin'' often accompanies the ''butsudan'', which can be rung during liturgy or recitation of prayers. Members of some Buddhist sects place '' ihai'' or tablets engraved with the names of deceased family members within or next to the ''butsudan''. Other Buddhist sects, such as

Jōdo Shinshū , also known as Shin Buddhism or True Pure Land Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Shin Buddhism is the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan. History Shinran ...

, usually do not have these, but may instead have pictures of the deceased placed near the ''butsudan''. The ''butsudan'' is typically placed upon a larger cabinet in which are kept important family documents and certificates.

Social-spiritual relations

The ''butsudan'' is commonly seen as an essential part in the life of a traditional Japanese family as it is the centre of spiritual faith within the household, especially in dealing with the deaths of family members or reflecting on the lives of ancestors. This is especially true in many rural villages, where it is common for more than 90% of households to possess a ''butsudan'', to be contrasted with urban and suburban areas, where the rate of butsudan ownership can often fall below 60%.See Nakamaki (2003:24-25) for a discussion of the sociological stratification of ''butsudan'' ownership in modern Japan.

Notes

References

* Buckley, Sandra (2002) "Butsudan and Kamidana" in Buckley, Sandra (Ed.) ''Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture'', pp. 56–57. London: Routledge. . * Hamabata, M. Masayuki (1990). ''Crested Kimono: Power and Love in the Japanese Business Family''. New York: Cornell University Press. . * Lewis, Todd T. (2007). "Butsudan" in Espin, Orlando (Ed.) ''An Introductory Dictionary of Theology and Religious Studies'', pg. 178. Collegeville: Liturgical Press. . * Nakamaki, Hirochika (2003). ''Japanese Religions at Home and Abroad''. New York: Routledge/Curzon. . * Reader, Ian (1995). ''Japanese Religions: Past and Present''. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. .

External links

* {{Authority control Japanese home Buddhism in Japan Buddhist ritual implements Japanese inventions

Arrangement

Social-spiritual relations

See also

Notes

References

Further reading

External links