In short: Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is the central chant of Nichiren Buddhism. It means devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra: nam devotion, myoho mystic law, renge lotus, kyo sutra. Practitioners chant it daily as a way to bring out courage, wisdom and compassion.
Origins
The thirteenth-century Japanese teacher Nichiren taught that chanting the title of the Lotus Sutra is the way to awakening in troubled times. Today it is practised by Nichiren schools and by the lay movement Soka Gakkai International (SGI).
How it is practised
- Chant the phrase aloud, often in rounds of several minutes.
- Chant in the morning and evening, sometimes with recitation of parts of the Lotus Sutra.
- Many chant in a group at a local centre.
Compare with other Buddhist chanting and Pure Land nianfo.
Related: Mahayana · Buddhist chanting · schools of Buddhism · directory
Questions people ask
What does Nam Myoho Renge Kyo mean?
Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra. Nam means devotion, myoho the mystic law, renge the lotus flower, and kyo the sutra or teaching.
Who chants it?
Practitioners of Nichiren Buddhism, including the Soka Gakkai International, who chant it daily, often facing a scroll called the Gohonzon.
How is it different from other Buddhist chants?
It is a single phrase chanted repeatedly, rather than a sutra recited in full. Nichiren Buddhists regard it as the essence of the Lotus Sutra.