The upper space of Shumidan is regarded as an area of Buddha, and Buddha statues are placed either directly on an altar or in a zushi or kuden (both are cupboard-like cases with double doors in which an image of (the) Buddha, a sutra, or some other revered object is kept at a temple) on a Shumidan.
須弥壇の上は仏の領域とされ、壇上に直接諸仏を安置する場合と、厨子や宮殿(厨子)（くうでん）を置いて、その中に仏像等を安置する場合がある。