also: ほんち
land of origin; homeland
Only with reading ほんち
Used with the reading ほんち to refer to one's native country or place of origin; less common than ほんじ.
He has been away from his homeland for a long time.
In the theory of honji suijaku, the true form of a buddha is said to manifest as a Japanese kami.
manifestation theory; honji suijaku theory
Standard kanji spelling for both senses; reading ほんじ is the primary reading.
Alternate reading used only for the 'land of origin' sense; less common than ほんじ.
The term 本地 is composed of 本 (original, true) and 地 (ground, basis), literally 'original ground'. In Buddhist context, it refers to the fundamental nature of a buddha. The reading ほんち for 'land of origin' may be a variant or older reading.