南無妙法蓮華経

Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華経) are Japanese words chanted within all forms of Nichiren Buddhism. In English, they mean "Devotion to the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra" or "Glory to the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra".

Word-by-word translation[edit] South no thing 

Namu is used in Buddhism as a prefix expressing taking refuge in a Buddha or similar object of veneration. Among varying Nichiren sects, the phonetic use of Nam versus Namu is a linguistic but not a dogmatic issue,^[15] due to common contractions and u is devoiced in many varieties of Japanese words.^[16]In this mantra, the Japanese drop the "u" sound when chanting at a fast pace, but write "Namu" because there is no way to contract the word into Nam' in either Chinese or Japanese characters. Only in English can you write Nam' and leave out the "u."^[15]

Namu – Myōhō – Renge – Kyō consists of the following:

• Namu 南無 "devoted to", a transliteration of Sanskrit námas meaning: 'obeisance, reverential salutation, adoration'.^[17]
• Myōhō 妙法 "exquisite law"^[3]
  • Myō 妙, from Middle Chinese mièw, "strange, mystery, miracle, cleverness" (cf. Mandarin miào)
  • Hō 法, from Middle Chinese pjap, "law, principle, doctrine" (cf. Mand. fǎ)
• Renge-kyō 蓮華經 "Lotus Sutra"
  • Renge 蓮華 "padma (Lotus)"
    • Ren 蓮, from Middle Chinese len, "lotus" (cf. Mand. lián)
    • Ge 華, from Middle Chinese xwæ, "flower" (cf. Mand. huā)
  • Kyō 経, from Middle Chinese kjeng, "sutra" (cf. Mand. jīng)

Myoho Renge Kyo — The wonderful Law of the Lotus Sutra Ho ben pon dai ni: Skillful Ways Ni Ji Se Son — There the World Honored One Ju San Mai — Quietly came up An Jo Ni Ki — From his samadhi Go Shari Hotsu — And said to Shariputra: Sho Bu' Chi E — The wisdom of the Buddhas Jin Jin Mu Ryo — Is profound and cannot be measured Go Chi E Mon — Its gate is hard to understand Nange Nan Nyu — And difficult to enter. Is Sai Sho Mon — No Shravaka-Disciple Hyaku Shi Butsu — Or Self-taught buddha Sho Fu No Chi — Can understand it. Sho I Sha Ga — Why is that? (because!) Butsu Zo Shin Gon —the newnow Buddhas attended on many Hyaku Sen Man Noku — hundreds of thousands of billions Mu Shu Sho Butsu — Of [past] Buddhas, Jin Gyo Sho Butsu — And practiced the many teachings Mu Ryo Do Ho — Of those Buddhas bravely and energetically Yu Myo Sho Jin — To their far-flung fame till they attained Myo Sho Fu Mon — The profound Law Jo Ju Jin Jin — Which you've never heard before, Mi Zo U Ho — And also because they are exposing Zui Gi Sho Setsu — The Law according to the capacities I Shu Nan Ge — Of all living beings a way that the intention is hard to understand Shari Hotsu — Shariputra! Go Ju Jo Butsu I Rai — Since I became Buddha, I also Shu Ju In Nen — Have been stating various teachings Shu Ju Hi Yu — With different stories of previous lives, Ko En Gon Kuyo — Various parables, and various similes. Mu Shu Ho Ben — I have been leading all living beings In Do Shu Jo — With countless expedients Ryo Ri Sho Jaku — In order to save them from materialism, Sho I Sha Ga — Because I have the power Nyo Rai Ho Ben — To employ skills, Chi Ken Hara Mitsu — And the power to perform Kai I Gu Soku — The Paramita (reached goal of wisdom) of insight Shari Hotsu — Shariputra! Nyo Rai Chi Ken —The insight of the Tathagatas Ko Dai Jin Non — Is wide and deep. Mu Ryo Mu Ge — They have all the [states of mind Riki Mu Sho I — Towards] countless [living beings], Zen Jo Ge Da's' San Mai — unchecked [intelligence], powers, Jin Nyu Mu Sai — Fearlessness, dhyana-concentrations, Jo Ju Is Sai — Liberations and samadhis. They entered Mi Zo U Ho — Deep into no limits, and attained the Law which you've never heard before Shari Hotsu — Shariputra! Nyo Rai Nyo Shu Ju Fun Betsu —The Tathagatas divide the Law Gyo Ses Sho Ho — Into various teachings, and state Gon Ji Nyu Nan — Those teachings so gently and skillfully Ek Ka Shu Shin — That living being are delighted. Shari Hotsu — Shariputra! Shu Yo Gon Shi — In short, the Buddhas attained Mu Ryo Mu Hen — The countless teachings Mi Zo U Ho — Which you've never heard before Bus Shitsu Jo Ju — No more Shi — Will I say Shari Hotsu — Shariputra Fu Shu Bu Setsu — Because the Law Sho I Sha Ga — attained by the Buddhas Bus Sho Jo Ju — Is the highest Truth. Dai Ichi Ke U — Rare [to hear] and hard Nan Ge Shi Ho —To understand. Yui Butsu Yo Butsu — Only the Buddhas attained Nai No Ku Jin — The highest Truth, that is Sho Ho Jis So — The Reality of All Things Sho I Sho Ho — In regards to: Nyo Ze So — Their appearances (form? shape? size? ) as such, Nyo Ze Sho — Thier natures (essence) as such, Nyo Ze Tai — Their embodiments (present incarnation) as such, Nyo Ze Riki — Their powers (potentiality also possibilities) as such, Nyo Ze Sa — Their activities (function or role) as such, Nyo Ze In — Their primary causes (obvious cause) as such, Nyo Ze En — Their environmental causes (process) as such, Nyo Ze Ka — Their effects (latent or hidden effect) as such, Nyo Ze Ho — Their requital (final outcome or return) as such, Nyo Ze Hon Ma' Ku Kyo To — And the combination of these [factors] as such (over and over again)