Butsumyo (Chanting the Names of Buddhas): Original Text, Reading, and Meaning
仏名 (Butsumyo): Chanting the name of Buddha makes the world of Buddha real
What is 仏名 (Butsumyo)?: chanting the names of Buddhas.
Key Point: Butsumyo is the practice in Tanbutsu, which chants the names of Buddhas that many sects respect.
In Tanbutsu, we chant the names of Buddhas. “南無 (Namu)” is the sound of “Namas” or “Namo” in Sanskrit. It is just a sound, so “南無 (Namu)” does not mean the Japanese words “南” (south) or “無” (not/nothing). “佛” is the old form of the character “仏.”
List of Buddhas in Butsumyo
- 三世諸仏 (Sanze-Shobutsu): These are Buddhas of the past, the present, and the future. (Examples: Shaka in the past, Miroku in the future.)
- 普光仏(Fuko-Butsu): The light of this Buddha is a symbol of wisdom and mercy.
- 普明仏(Fumyo-Butsu): This Buddha shines light on our confusion and worldly desires. This helps us understand the truth.
- 普浄仏(Fujo-Butsu): This Buddha cleans our hearts. It removes our sins and bad desires.
- 宝蓮華善住娑羅樹王仏(Horenge-Zenju-Sarajuo-Butsu): This Buddha brings us peace and happiness. The lotus flower is a symbol of purity and wisdom. The Sala tree is a holy tree, and it is a symbol of enlightenment.
- 法界蔵身盧舎那(Hokkai-Zoshin-Rushana): Rushana-Butsu is a very important Buddha in the Kegon Sutra.
- 南無法界蔵身阿弥陀(Hokkai-Zoshin-Amida): Amida-Butsu lives in the Pure Land. He has endless light and life.
Each Buddha is important in different sects. For example, 盧舎那仏 (Rushana-Butsu) is based on 華厳経 (the Kegon Sutra), and many people think that Rushana-Butsu is the same as 大日如来 (Dainichi-Nyorai). Expressions such as “阿弥陀仏 (Amida-Butsu)” or “法界蔵身阿弥陀 (Hokkai-Zoshin-Amida)” come from Amida worship in 浄土教 (Jodo-kyo).
This recording is the Shomyo that people use today. The book in the reference is from the Meiji period. It is longer than the Shomyo we use now. The real Shomyo is shorter and simpler. The book has more than seven Buddhas. If you want to know more, please look at the link below.
Reference: 禅山『歎仏会法式 重正』、其中堂、明治16年10月。
Some Dojo use a shorter version like the one below.
南無三世諸佛 南無釈迦牟尼佛 南無過去荘厳劫一千佛
南無現在賢劫一千佛 南無未来星宿一千佛
南無寶蓮華善住娑羅樹王佛 南無法界蔵身阿弥陀佛
The Core
- The important thing is not whether Buddhas exist or not, but making the world of Buddha real here and now.
- Chanting with a sincere heart is the expression of Buddha itself
- Butsumyo is a practice that praises the virtues of Buddhas and chants their names, and it is used in many different sects
My Experience: Making the world of Buddha real here and now by chanting
Key Point: The important thing is making the world of Buddha real here and now
In my Dojo, a teacher of Shomyo came from the head temple to give us a lecture. One day, he told us a story. Sometimes, people ask him, “Is chanting like a play? Is it a lie because Buddhas are not really here?” He answers, “I do not know if they exist or not. However, our role is to make the world of Buddha real by chanting.” I was very surprised. To tell the truth, I also thought it was just a play before I heard that.
Also, when I chant the names of Buddhas with a sincere heart, I can feel the vibrations of my voice reaching everything and everyone around me, as if resonating with the world and many Buddhas. In short, the important thing is not whether Buddhas exist or not, but making the world of Buddha real here and now through our actions.
AoiちゃんQ&A
- Q: Why do you work on things like Buddhas or rituals, even when you do not know if they are really true?
- A: Because the most important thing in Zen is to take action. To be honest, there are many things in Zen teachings that we might doubt. However, the core of Zen training is to question, research, think, and then decide how to act. Continuing this process is the heart of the practice. I also had doubts at first, but now, when I chant the names of Buddhas with a sincere heart, I feel the world resonate and connect with many Buddhas.
Mind Weather before AI comments?
Aoiちゃん
Grok
Oskardさん
GPTさん
Gemini君
Claude様Mind Weather after AI comments?
