Altar types used in Buddhism include a permanent altar called a shumidan which enshrines an image of the Buddha; a household altar referred to as butsudan; a temporary altar for funerals and religious ceremonies; an altar called a chuindan which is kept until the Buddhist memorial service held 49 days after a person's death; and an altar called a shoryudana (or bondana) which is used in the Bon festival (the festival of the dead).
仏教における祭壇の形態的には常設の祭壇として仏像を安置するための須弥壇、家庭内に設置する仏壇、仮設の祭壇として葬祭用の祭壇、四十九日まで設置される中陰壇、盆に設置される精霊棚（盆棚）などがある。