The Toro: an Intro to Buddhist Cosmology

For the last couple of days I have been noticing the lanterns that decorate the base, including these two Japanese toro lanterns that mark the parking lot to the PX. Of course, back at HC we have a corny little knock-off one that we got from Home Depot, but the ones I am seeing here are quite a bit more elaborate. I’m told they are often Eagle Scout projects for the kids around here, which is a nice bit of lore; but seeing these two inspired me to do some background reading on Wikipedia and what I found was quite interesting.


They are called toro, a word that has come to mean that the lantern is constructed of heavy, long-lasting material. Because of their traditional appearance, they often decorate Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and Japanese gardens. Learning about their traditional five-part construction was what I found most interesting, however: the five components represent the five elements of Buddhist cosmology.

They are:

• The base or foundation, the kiso, which touches the ground. It represents chi, the earth.

• The next section represents sui, or water. I guess this is the post, or legs – called the sao.

• Then we have ka, or fire, which is represented by the section where the light or flame is. The Hibukuro is the firebox where the flame is lit.

• The last two are fu and ku, air and spirit or void, respectively, which are represented by the last two sections – the kasa, and hoju. The kasa is the little roof or umbrella that covers the flame, and hoju is the finial, which is traditionally shaped like an onion. Apparently the word hoju means “jewel”.

Buddhism is a very practical and respectful system of beliefs. The segments of the lantern express the idea that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.

There are a couple of other toro on post, but these are the most elaborate I’ve seen so far. And Wikipedia adds a reassuring note that some or most of the five parts may be missing. Our little toro back at HC is only two-parts but incorporates four of the elements, with the exception of a base or foundation – it still touches the earth, however, so chi is represented.