Before the introduction of Buddhism to Japan in the sixth century there is no evidence of
honzon in
Shinto worship. Instead, its use was a cultural influence from Buddhism. Each sect of Japanese Buddhism has its own
honzon which sometimes varies from temple to temple or even from hall to hall within a given temple. This is a practice that was criticized by
Ekai Kawaguchi, a 20th-century Japanese religious reformer. Some images (hibutsu, literally "secret buddhas") are considered too sacred for public presentation.
Shingon Buddhism In
Mikkyō practices such as in
Shingon Buddhism, the term refers to the divinity honored in a rite. When
Kūkai introduced
Shingon Esoteric Buddhism and its Buddhist Pantheon to Japan in the 9th century, the statuary worship practices found in China were incorporated. Over the centuries this developed into the
Japanese Buddhist pantheon. The role of the tutelary figure is similar to that of the
yidam in
Tibetan Buddhism. Tutelary deities in
Vajrayana Buddhism, including Mikkyō,
Tangmi and Tibetan Buddhism, are crucial to many religious practices.
Pure Land Buddhism In the
Jōdo Shinshū school of Pure Land Buddhism, under the leadership of
Honen and
Shinran, the use of "honzon" became more prevalent. The honzon took the form of inscriptions of the nembutsu:
Namu Amida Buddha, other phrases, images of the Buddha, statuary, and even representations of the founder.
Rennyo thought a honzon in the form of the written nembutsu was more appropriate than that of statue.
Rissho Koseikai In the
Rissho Kosei Kai members receive and practice to a honzon enshrined in their homes they label a "Daigohonzon". The scroll consists of an image of
Shakyamuni. At the Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters there is a Gohonzon that is a statue of Shakyamuni.
Zen Buddhism According to Suzuki, the proper honzon for the Zen altar is Shakyamuni Buddha. He is often attended by other Bodhisattvas and
arhats such as statues of Kannon (
Avalokitesvara), Yakushi (
Bhaishajyaguru), Jizō (
Kshitigarbha), or Miroku (
Maitreya). Sometimes there is a trio of Amida (representing the past), Shakyamuni (the present), and Miroku (the future). There are other choices and combinations often influenced by the guiding philosophy of a temple. == See also ==