In our decision to dedicate ourselves, we entrust our very life and take refuge within the enlightened world of the Lotus Sutra. Namu, therefore, signifies that as we take shelter in the Buddha, we are embracing every aspect of the Buddha’s compassion, wisdom and enlightened life. On the other hand, it also indicates that in order to achieve this, we choose, then strive, to live our lives in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the Buddha, as his good son, daughter and student.

The word Namu … comes to signify a firm and full dedication of our lives, in both its physical and spiritual aspects. In other words, we express our faith in the Buddha and his teachings, particularly in the Lotus Sutra, and at the same time dedicate ourselves to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in every possible way.

Namu or Namas assumes a variety of meanings and literally signifies devotion. Namas further signifies to return, restore or entrust one’s life, as well as to express one’s gratitude, a respectful greeting, reverence, to sincerely believe and to take refuge in.

[T]he Lotus Sutra opens the seed of Buddhahood or potential enlightenment that each and everyone of us possess, and with the continued chanting of the Odaimoku, it gives that seed the nourishment it needs to sprout, grow and mature into a real living Buddha, transforming lives into that of an enlightened being, blessed with all the same wonderful and varied qualities, virtues and merits that Shakyamuni Buddha himself attained.

One must … be aware that by chanting Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, one chants not only the of heart of the Lotus Sutra and the essence of all the Buddha’s teachings, but the very nature of his enlightenment itself.

Myoho Renge Kyo expounds two very special concepts, unique to its teachings:

1. that all beings can become enlightened just as the Buddha, and
2. that the Buddha’s enlightenment is not something that simply occurred historically under the Bodhi tree when he was 30 years old, but has always existed since the infinite past and is eternal.

The Lotus Sutra, therefore, represents not only the culmination and completion, but indeed, the very essence and nature behind all the Buddha’s teaching.

The Odaimoku, which literally means “the title,” is used in Japanese Buddhism to refer to the repeated recitation of a mantra. Other traditions also recite mantras, such as the Pure Land School or Shingon. The Odaimoku of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo is derived from the Lotus Sutra, the essential mantra of Nichiren Shu, but is also adopted by the Japanese Tendai School, all Nichiren-­derived schools, groups and the so-called Nichiren-derived or inspired “new religions.”