Buddha

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 仏 refers to a Buddha and is read ほとけ as a standalone word.
• Basic usage: 仏教 means the religion Buddhism, while 仏像 means a statue representing an object of Buddhist devotion.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• ぶつ and ぶっ
  • 仏像 is ぶつぞう, while 仏教 is ぶっきょう, with a small っ.
  • The complete word's reading depends on the following sound even though both contain 仏.
• Referring to the deceased
  • Depending on context, 仏 can also refer to a deceased person.
  • 仏になった祖父 refers to a grandfather who has passed away.