Honzon
General本尊 ・ Reading: ほんぞん
Definition
The honzon is the principal object of worship enshrined in a Buddhist temple, usually a statue or image of a specific Buddha or bodhisattva. Each temple is centred on its own honzon.
What it is
The honzon is the central object of worship in a Buddhist temple, the figure toward which the main hall is oriented and around which its rituals are organised. It is most often a sculpted statue, though it can also be a painting or, in some traditions, an inscribed scroll. Which figure serves as honzon defines the character of a temple: one hall may enshrine Amida Buddha, another Kannon, Fudo Myoo, or Yakushi, the Buddha of healing. When people speak of a temple's identity, they are usually speaking of its honzon.
What to look for
The honzon sits at the heart of the main hall, typically raised on an altar and framed by ornamentation, candles, and offerings. Some honzon are displayed openly, while others are kept as a hibutsu, a hidden image revealed only on rare occasions or never at all. Look for the smaller attendant figures often placed to either side. When you pray before the main hall, you are addressing the honzon, so a quiet bow and a moment of stillness are the customary courtesy.
Common questions
- What is a honzon in a Japanese temple?
A honzon is the principal object of worship at a Buddhist temple, usually a statue of a specific Buddha or bodhisattva such as Amida or Kannon. The temple's main hall is built around its honzon.
- Can visitors see the honzon?
At many temples the honzon is on view at the centre of the main hall, but some especially sacred honzon are kept hidden as a hibutsu and shown only on rare occasions. You can always pay your respects toward the altar even when the image itself is concealed.