gohonzon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialized Religious
Quick answer
What does “gohonzon” mean?
The primary object of worship in Nichiren Buddhism, typically a calligraphic mandala inscribed with Sanskrit and Chinese characters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The primary object of worship in Nichiren Buddhism, typically a calligraphic mandala inscribed with Sanskrit and Chinese characters.
A scroll or wooden tablet in Nichiren Buddhist practice that symbolizes the Mystic Law and serves as a focus for devotion, chanting, and the attainment of enlightenment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; usage is identical and confined to the same religious contexts.
Connotations
In both regions, the term carries the same religious and doctrinal weight.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of specific Buddhist communities in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “gohonzon” in a Sentence
The [devotee] [verbs, e.g., chants, prays] [preposition, e.g., to, before] the gohonzon.The gohonzon is [verb, e.g., enshrined, housed] in the [location].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in religious studies, specifically in papers on Japanese Buddhism.
Everyday
Not used in general conversation.
Technical
Technical term within Nichiren Buddhist theology and ritual.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gohonzon”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gohonzon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gohonzon”
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun (Gohonzon) only when referring to the specific Dai-Gohonzon.
- Using it as a countable noun without an article ('I have gohonzon'). Correct: 'I have a gohonzon.'
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'goat' rather than the softer standard pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though rarely needed. The plural is 'gohonzons' (e.g., 'The temple issues thousands of gohonzons to members').
No. It is venerated not as a deity but as a representation of the universal law (Dharma) and the enlightened life-state within oneself.
'Dai-Gohonzon' (with a capital G and the prefix 'Dai-' meaning great) refers specifically to the original mandala inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin in 1279. A 'gohonzon' (lowercase) is a transcribed copy of that original, issued to practitioners.
No. It is unique to schools deriving from the Japanese Buddhist teacher Nichiren (e.g., Nichiren Shoshu, Soka Gakkai).
The primary object of worship in Nichiren Buddhism, typically a calligraphic mandala inscribed with Sanskrit and Chinese characters.
Gohonzon is usually specialized religious in register.
Gohonzon: in British English it is pronounced /ɡəʊˈhɒnzɒn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡoʊˈhɑnzɑn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To face the gohonzon”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GO and HONour this ZONe (scroll) of worship.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MAP TO ENLIGHTENMENT (it is seen as a chart or guide representing the state of Buddhahood).
Practice
Quiz
In which religious tradition is the term 'gohonzon' exclusively used?