Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo is the Japanese pronunciation of the title of the Lotus Sutra, a foundational Buddhist scripture originally composed in Sanskrit as Saddharmapundarikasutra, meaning “The Sutra of the Perfect Law of the Lotus.” When Buddhism reached China, the sutra was translated into classical Chinese by the renowned scholar Kumarajiva (AD 344–413), who rendered the title as Miao-fa Lien-hua Ching. Kumarajiva’s translation is celebrated for its clarity and fidelity, blending linguistic precision with a deep grasp of Buddhist principles. As Buddhism spread to Japan via Korea around the sixth century, the Chinese characters for the title were retained but pronounced in Japanese as Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo. During the daily practice of Gongyo, Nichiren Shoshu Buddhists recite portions of the Lotus Sutra in this classical Chinese, pronounced in an ancient Japanese style, which can be challenging even for modern Japanese speakers to fully comprehend, much like archaic English is to modern readers.
The phrase Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo combines Myoho-Renge-Kyo—meaning “Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra”—with Nam, a Sanskrit-derived term akin to namu or namas, signifying devotion or dedication. Nichiren Daishonin, the founder of this Buddhist tradition, added Nam to the title, emphasizing a profound commitment to the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. Thus, Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo can be understood as “I devote my life to the Mystic Law of Cause and Effect”
While this translation seems straightforward, the phrase encapsulates the essence of the universal Law of life that all Buddhist teachings strive to illuminate. Nichiren Daishonin taught that chanting these seven characters, though seemingly simple, holds immeasurable depth. This practice connects practitioners to the wisdom of all Buddhas, serves as a guide for all beings to attain enlightenment, and is the cornerstone of spiritual transformation.
