Divided spirit, fraction of a spirit. A ceremony to divide and then install the bunrei of the kami of a main shrine is the normal means by which a branch shrine (bunsha) is established and empowered. The rei or mitama of the kami is not diminished in any way by this 'division'. Famous shrines may distribute thousands of bunrei over time, to establish new shrines or enhance the power of existing ones. The Iwashimizu-Hachimangu is reputed to have distributed 30,000 bunrei, the Usa Hachimangu 15,000 and the Suwa Taisha over 10,000. O-fuda function in a similar way to bun-rei but are intended for the home kamidana which does not have the status of a recognised shrine.
A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Brian Bocking.