also: ほんち
noun
true form of a buddha
Archaic Buddhist term referring to the original, fundamental nature of a buddha, as opposed to a manifested or temporary form (垂迹).
See also: 垂迹
本地垂迹説では、仏の本地が日本の神として現れるとされる。
In the theory of honji suijaku, the true form of a buddha is said to manifest as a Japanese kami.
noun
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.
彼は本地を離れて久しい。
He has been away from his homeland for a long time.
Refers to the manifested, temporary form of a buddha, often contrasted with 本地 in Buddhist philosophy.
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.