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Nembutsu

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

In Pure Land Buddhism, the vocal or mental invocation of the name of the Buddha Amitabha.

Detailed Definition
The Nembutsu, the phrase "Namo Amituofo" (Homage to Amitabha Buddha), is the central practice of Pure Land Buddhism. It is an expression of faith and a means to secure rebirth in the Pure Land, a blissful realm conducive to enlightenment. In poetry, the recitation of the Nembutsu can symbolize simple, devoted faith as opposed to complex meditation. It evokes themes of reliance on grace, the power of the name, and the longing for a spiritual homeland beyond the suffering of this world.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Pure Land Buddhist poetry, Nembutsu (“Namu Amida Butsu”) is saving invocation: “With each breath—Nembutsu, boat across samsara”; In Japanese verse, Nembutsu comforts the dying: “Final whisper—Nembutsu, Amida’s light awaits”; In diasporic poetry, Nembutsu connects generations: “Mother chants—Nembutsu threads through our scattered lives”; Poets describe Nembutsu as surrender: “Not my effort, but grace—Nembutsu carries me home.”
Additional Notes
Nembutsu (“Namu Amida Butsu”) is the core practice of Pure Land Buddhism, invoking Amitabha’s vow to save all beings; its simplicity democratizes enlightenment, emphasizing faith over monastic rigor; in poetic form, the nembutsu becomes a rhythmic mantra—its repetition a river of sound carrying the devotee toward boundless compassion.
Also Known As
Nianfo (Chinese) Buddha-recitation
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