dan　壇

KEY WORD :　architecture / general terms

1　A generic term for a level mound or platform raised above the surrounding ground. An earthen mound may be covered with stone or thick plaster on or over which a building may be erected. See *kidan 基壇; *kamebara 亀腹. 2　A base or altar on which religious statues are placed. See *butsudan 仏壇; *shumidan 須弥壇. 3　Thought to be the original translation of the Sanskrit word, mankara. It meant the seat of the Buddha or a place specified for training priests. 4　A platform used for reciting Buddhist prayers, shuuhou 修法 and incantations. In Esoteric Buddhism mikkyou 密教 this type of platform is made of hard packed earth in a designated area, also called shuuhou used for recitation of prayers and for placing offerings. Depending on the type of prayers, platforms are given different names. There are daidan 大壇, gomadan 護摩壇, kanjoudan 灌頂壇, sanmaya kaidan 三昧耶戒壇, jingudan 神供壇 and mitsudan 密壇. For reciting prayers there were four platform shapes, circular, square, triangular and lotus flower shaped. 5　A temporary wooden platform for ceremonies and entertainment.

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