Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Group of figures

Sanjūnichi Hibutsu

三十日秘仏さんじゅうにちひぶつ

Sanjūnichi Hibutsu is a custom of faith that assigns a buddha or bodhisattva to each of the thirty days of the month. Although the name contains the word hibutsu (hidden buddha), here it means the set of buddha names for each day. Byōdō-ji explains that it arose by expanding the jūsainichi (ten days of abstinence) and adding buddha names from the Lotus Sutra and other sources.

This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.

English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む

Sanjūnichi Hibutsu: forming a bond with a buddha each day

Sanjūnichi Hibutsu is a custom of faith that assigns a buddha or bodhisattva to each of the thirty days of the month. Although the name contains the word hibutsu (hidden buddha), here it means the set of buddha names for each day. Byōdō-ji explains that it arose by expanding the jūsainichi (ten days of abstinence) and adding buddha names from the Lotus Sutra and other sources.

Source: 四国霊場 平等寺

Assignments may differ from today's ennichi

Shōhōin's list of ennichi (fair days) places the Sanjūnichi Hibutsu and the ennichi commonly observed today in separate rows. Assignments vary by temple, region and source, and some ennichi use the twelve zodiac signs. Being the same day each month does not mean that every shrine and temple holds the same event.

Source: 飛不動尊 正宝院・四国霊場 平等寺

Related kami and buddhas

Sources (in Japanese)