supporting family of a temple; parishioner family
Refers to a household that is formally affiliated with a Buddhist temple and provides financial support, often in exchange for memorial services. The term is specific to Japanese Buddhist parish systems.
This temple has about two hundred supporting families.
檀家の集まりでお寺の修繕費を話し合った。
At the parishioners' meeting, they discussed the repair costs for the temple.
Standard kanji spelling.
Irregular kanji usage; 檀家 is the correct form.
From 檀 (だん, 'sandalwood'; by extension, 'Buddhist temple') and 家 (か, 'house, family'). The reading だんけ is a less common variant.