宗 Kanji – religion
The Japanese kanji 宗 can mean religion, sect, denomination, main point, origin, essence.
Meaning and Readings
How is 宗 read?
宗 has the onyomi readings シュウ, ソウ and the kunyomi reading むね.
In romaji, these readings can be written as shuu, sou, mune.
Common Japanese Words Using 宗
These common Japanese words contain 宗. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 改宗（かいしゅう） — religious conversion
- 宗家（そうけ） — head of family, head house
- 宗教（しゅうきょう） — religion, religious affiliation, belief, faith, creed
- 宗祖（しゅうそ） — sect founder
- 宗派（しゅうは） — sect, denomination
- 宗門（しゅうもん） — (religious) denomination, sect
- 禅宗（ぜんしゅう） — Zen (Buddhism)
- 浄土真宗（じょうどしんしゅう） — Jōdo Shinshū (offshoot of the Jōdo sect), True Pure Land School
- 宗（しゅう） — sect, denomination