本ほん山ざん

総そう本ほん山ざん
本山 names any head temple that oversees affiliated temples, while 総本山 specifically means the single supreme head temple of an entire Buddhist sect.

Opposites

末まつ寺じ sense 1
本山 is the head temple that oversees a network, while 末寺 is a branch temple subordinate to it.
別べつ院いん
本山 is the main temple that governs a sect, while 別院 is a branch temple subordinate to it.

Counted with

寺じ sense 1
本山 is counted with 寺, the standard counter for temples, as in 三寺の本山.

Word family

総そう本ほん山ざん
head temple of a Buddhist sect · headquarters; nerve center
大だい本ほん山ざん
head temple of a Buddhist sect

Etymology

A Sino-Japanese compound of 本, “principal,” and 山, which can designate a Buddhist temple or monastery. It denotes the principal temple overseeing the subordinate temples of a school or branch.