also: かみほとけ
noun
gods and Buddha; deities and Buddha
Refers collectively to Shinto gods (kami) and Buddhist figures (Buddha, bodhisattvas), reflecting the syncretic Japanese religious tradition.
日本人は昔から神仏を信仰してきた。
Japanese people have believed in gods and Buddha since ancient times.
このお寺には神仏が一緒に祀られている
Both Shinto gods and Buddhist figures are enshrined together at this temple.
noun
Shinto and Buddhism
Only with reading しんぶつ
Refers to the two religions themselves, often in the context of syncretism or comparison. Restricted to the reading しんぶつ.
神仏の習合は日本の宗教の特徴だ。
The syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism is a characteristic of Japanese religion.
Compound of 神 (shin, 'god') and 仏 (butsu, 'Buddha'). The reading かみほとけ is the native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of the same characters.