本尊

Reading

Kana: ほんぞん

Romaji: honzon

Definitions

noun

1

principal object of worship at a temple (usu. a buddha or bodhisattva); principal image; idol

2

the man himself; the person at the heart of the matter

Note: jocular, humorous term

Kanji

本

Readings: ホン、 もと

Meanings: book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things

尊

Readings: ソン、 たっと.い、 とうと.い、 たっと.ぶ、 とうと.ぶ

Meanings: revered, valuable, precious, noble, exalted

Example Sentence

この寺(てら)の本尊(ほんぞん)は何(なに)であるか知(し)っていますか。

➥Do you know which deity this temple is dedicated to?