Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華経, also, in some schools Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō; Devotion to the Law of the Lotus Flower Scripture) is a mantra that is chanted as the central practice of all forms of Nichiren Buddhism. The mantra is referred to as Daimoku (題目, title; also, in some schools, O-daimoku: お題目) and was first revealed by the Japanese Buddhist teacher Nichiren on the 28th day of the fourth lunar month of AD 1253 at Kiyomizu-dera (also, Seichōji) near Kominato in current-day Chiba, Japan. The practice of chanting the daimoku is called shōdai (唱題). The purpose of chanting daimoku is to attain perfect and complete awakening (enlightenment).

The phrase is difficult to render into English because each word or set of words contains a complex set of symbolism and connotation, and without an understanding of the semiotic significance of the words, the full meaning is lost.

Meaning

The invocation of Namu-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren Daishonin on the 28th day of the fourth month, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood and that the direct way to tap our Buddha nature in this time period (the latter day of the law) is to chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Chinese translation (by Kumarajiva in China) and rendered in its Japanese pronunciation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which is found in the Lotus Sutra the final and highest teaching of Shakyamuni. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.
Namu:
The words na and mu derive from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself". Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. Though linguistic and cultural grammatic rules allow for the pronunciation as "Nam" with the "u" sound un-aspirated, it is also written as the two characters present on the mandala, Nah and Mu, or Namu.
Myoho:
Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, the mystic law which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.
Renge:
Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest.

The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.
Kyo:
Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.
Primary Practice:
Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo—also known as "Daimoku"—is the primary practice of millions of Nichiren Buddhists throughout the world. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion. It was evoked by Nichiren as the fundamental way of practicing the Buddhist faith for all people, as found in the Lotus Sutra, in order to attain enlightenment in the Latter Day of the Law..

"When deluded, one is called an ordinary human being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."

—Nichiren, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime

Pop culture

• Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is chanted in the film Innerspace (1987) when Jack Putter (Martin Short) is stuck in the back of a freezer van, he needs inspiration to get up and jump out, so Lt. Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) (who is miniturized and in a vessel stuck in Jack's body) after a few other word of inspiration says Nam-myoho-renge-kyo 3 times. After that jack gets up and jumps out of the van to escape from Victor Scrimshaw (Kevin McCarthy).

• Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is chanted in the film Vice Versa when Marshall (Judge Reinhold) sees a Buddhist monk to retrieve the artifact (skull) that switched over the father and son.

• Marlon Wayans uses the chant in an episode of The Wayans Bros, accentuating the ge part to scare a male actor he planned to kiss.

• The chant appears in the final episode of The Monkees ("Mijacogeo"), as a mystical chant Micky Dolenz got by mailing in a cereal boxtop.

• The chant is also repeated in the film The Taking of Pelham 123 by a female passenger who thinks the speeding train may crash.

• In the play A Good Time by Ernest Thompson, the character of Mandy Morgan constantly chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō to calm herself.

• Randy Quaid's character in the movie The Last Detail chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō after meeting a girl who introduces him to Buddhism. The characters played by Jack Nicholson and Otis Young mistakenly think he is chanting Indiana Dog.

• In Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, Booger (Curtis Armstrong) chants Myōhō Renge Kyō when forced to walk semi-nude by a crocodile pit.

• In an episode of Boy Meets World ("Model Family"), Cory (Ben Savage) quotes this chant and subsequently states "You are so bizarre."

• Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō is present, along with Soka Gakkai International (SGI) meetings, in the 1973 movie The Last Detail.

• Tina Turner's 1993 biographical film What's Love Got to Do with It shows her (played by Angela Bassett) using the chant to help her move on, after her split from husband Ike Turner.

• In The Simpsons episode "The Last Temptation of Homer", Homer Simpson babbles Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō (among other things), while trying to speak to an attractive woman.

• In Akira Kurosawa's 1970 film Dodesukaden, the mother of "trolley-crazy" Rokkuchan chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō; this is paralleled with Rokkuchan's nonsense chant Do desu ka den.

• The chant appears in the film Les Randonneurs ("The Hikers") by Philippe Harel.

• The chant is probably the "phrase of just 16 letters" that is referred to at the end of the book The Buddha, Geoff and Me by Edward Canfor-Dumas.

• In the movie Bleach: Memories of Nobody, the phrase is chanted at the funeral of Senna.

• This chant is intoned by Rudy Reyes in episode two of Generation Kill twice; first as he prays before returning to his Humvee, secondly as he "spots" for his sniper teammate "Pappy" Patrick.

• Marisa Tomei chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō in the movie The Guru.

• The chant helps Orel meditate in the episode "Praying" of Moral Orel.

• In the latest recent DVD release of 1 Giant Leap 'What about me?' in disc 2, the beginning of the 1 Giant Leap journey throughout the planet, starts in London in Maxi Jazz's (Faithless) apartment where he invites Duncan Bridgeman, from 1 Giant Leap to chant with him.

• Mariane Pearl chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō in the movie A Mighty Heart (film) played by Angelina Jolie.

• In the 2009 September 15. edition of the Sinfest webcomic (titled Noble Path 5), Buddha answers to Squigley's question about the "Path" with Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō, though the latter misunderstands it.

• In the 1995 movie, Three Wishes, starring Patrick Swayze and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, there is a scene where Jack is meditating in the back yard. As the camera pans around to face him, you can hear him say "...Myoho Renge Kyo."

Music

• The chant is used prominently by jazz singer Jon Lucien in his song "Creole Lady", the last minute and a half of the song is a thick chorus of vocalists chanting.

• In the Pretenders song "Boots of Chinese Plastic" Chrissie Hynde begins with Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō.

• Myōhō Renge Kyō appears as a repeated chant in the background of the 2006 Xzibit single Concentrate for nearly the entire song. It has been suggested this is ironic given the lyrical content of the song is about Xzibit losing his concentration every time he sees a pretty girl.

• Myōhō Renge Kyō also appears in a song (of the same name) by Indian Ocean in their album Jhini.

• Yoko Ono recorded a song based on the chant, which was included in her Onobox anthology.

• The chant is mentioned by M-1 of Dead Prez in the song "Land, Bread & Housing".

• The band Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. released an hour-long album of their musical interpretation of the chant, titled Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.

• The chant also appears in Damien Rice's "Cold Water" (as performed at BBC4 sessions).

• Courtney Love said in her blog, "nam myoho renge kyo and may all impediments create JOY in you", as credited to her recovery with the help of a good friend, SGI buddhist Orlando Bloom.

• Music Emporium's 1969 debut album is titled Nam Myo Renge Kyo.

• "Na Mu Myoho Rienge Kyo FuthaMuka!" completes the final verse of the song "This Message" by Jim's Big Ego.