Buddhist Temple Names in Japan Author(s): Dietrich Seckel Reviewed work(s): Source: Monumenta Nipponica, Vol. 40, No. 4 (Winter, 1985), pp. 359-386 Published by: Sophia University Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2384822 . Accessed: 23/11/2012 14:20 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact
[email protected]. Sophia University is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Monumenta Nipponica. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded by the authorized user from 192.168.52.63 on Fri, 23 Nov 2012 14:20:33 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions BuddhistTemple Names in Japan by DIETRICH SECKEL A LTHOUGH thenames of many Buddhist temples, or jigo , arein con- stantuse among Japanese and Westernstudents of Japan's history, religion,and art, theynever seem to have been made the subject of systematicresearch, not even, as far as I know, by the Japanesethemselves. (There exists,however, a shortand not entirelysatisfactory article on jigo in Mochizuki Shinko, ed., Bukkyo Daijiten, 9, pp. 307f.) Justas Christianchur- ches take theirnames mainlyfrom the multitudeof saintsand otherholy per- sons (accordingto theirpatrocinium), from the body of theologicalconcepts, such as Trinity,Holy Spirit, Sacred Heart, etc., and, less frequently,from other spheres of religious thoughtand devotional life, so many Buddhist templesare named aftersacred persons in the 'pantheon' (Buddhas, bodhisatt- v.as, etc.) and importantdoctrinal terms.