1.
nenbutsu, Buddhist prayer chant
The practice of chanting the name of Amida Buddha, specifically the phrase 「南無阿弥陀仏」 (Namu Amida Butsu). Central to Pure Land Buddhism (浄土宗 and 浄土真宗), where it is believed to lead to rebirth in the Pure Land.
念仏を唱える。
Chant the nenbutsu.
祖母は毎朝念仏を唱えている。
My grandmother chants the nenbutsu every morning.
法然は、念仏を唱えることで誰でも救われると説いた。
Hōnen taught that anyone can be saved by chanting the nenbutsu.
USAGE:
The standard collocation is 念仏を唱える (to chant the nenbutsu). The chant itself is 「南無阿弥陀仏」 (Namu Amida Butsu — "I take refuge in Amida Buddha").
IDIOMS:
- 馬の耳に念仏: "nenbutsu in a horse's ear" — preaching to deaf ears, wasting one's breath
CULTURAL NOTE:
念仏 is the core practice of 浄土宗 (Jōdo-shū) and 浄土真宗 (Jōdo Shinshū), which are among the most popular Buddhist traditions in Japan.