butsudan

/ ˈbʊtsəˌdæn /

noun

1. (in Buddhism) a small household altar
2. (in Nichiren Buddhism) an ornate cabinet which holds the Gohonzon

Word History and Origins

Origin of butsudan¹

from Japanese butsu Buddha (from Chinese fu ) + dan shelf

Example Sentences

Why did my father recite sutras every morning in front of that glass case, instead of in front of a standard butsudan?

From The New Yorker

Every morning, before breakfast, he would sit for a long time in front of the butsudan shrine in our home, intently reciting Buddhist sutras, with his eyes closed.

From The New Yorker

A large Buddhist shrine, known as a butsudan, is stationed in the living room at Stone’s spacious bungalow along a canal in Fort Lauderdale.

From Washington Post

Toyoda says he often channels inspiration from Kiichiro in quiet moments before the family butsudan, or Buddhist altar, at his home outside Nagoya.

From BusinessWeek

In other areas where there was less damage to buildings, the police said that the most serious injuries appeared to be blows to the head or broken bones caused by falling furniture and “butsudan,” household Buddhist shrines that are mounted on walls.

From New York Times