Concept

Nianfo

Overview

Nianfo (Chinese: 念佛, Japanese: 念仏; Korean: 염불, Vietnamese: niệm Phật) is a Buddhist practice central to East Asian Buddhism. The Chinese term nianfo is a translation of Sanskrit buddhānusmṛti ('recollection of the Buddha'), a classic Buddhist mindfulness (smṛti) practice.

Nianfo focused on the Buddha Amitābha is also the most important practice in Pure Land Buddhism. In the context of East Asian Pure Land practice, nianfo typically refers to the oral repetition of the name of Amitābha through the phrase "Homage to Amitabha Buddha" (南無阿彌陀佛; from Sanskrit Namo'mitābhāya Buddhāya). It can also refer to that phrase itself, in which case it may also be called the nianfo, or "The Name" (Japanese: myōgō 名号).

In most extant Pure Land traditions, faithfully reciting the name of Amitābha is mainly seen as a way to obtain birth in Amitābha's pure land of Sukhāvatī ('Blissful') through the Buddha's "other power". It is felt that reciting the nianfo can negate vast stores of negative karma as well as channel the power of the Buddha's compassionate vow to save all beings. Sukhāvatī is a place of peace and refuge. There, one can hear the Dharma directly from the Buddha and attain Buddhahood without being distracted by the sufferings of samsara.

In some contexts, the term nianfo can also refer to other meditative practices, such as various visualizations or the recitations of other phrases, dharanis, or mantras associated with Pure Land Buddhism, the Buddha Amitābha and his attendant bodhisattvas.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).

Possible passages

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These are all creations of the mind. This is called giving up desires of enjoyment either in this life or another.
Swami Vivekananda, Jnâna Yoga, Part II
States what Nianfo is.
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According to what has been said, the denial of the will to live, which is just what is called absolute, entire resignation, or holiness, always proceeds from that quieter of the will which the knowledge of its inner conflict and essential vanity, expressing themselves in the suffering of all living things, becomes. The difference, which we have represented as two paths, consists in whether that knowledge is called…
Arthur Schopenhauer, The World as Will and Idea
States what Nianfo is.
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Other methods of deliverance from evil are in the excessive acts of penance performed by the Indians, to which a retreat within themselves is added. Now when the Indian thus internally collects himself, and retreats within his own thoughts, the moment of such pure concentration is called Brahma, the one and the clearly supersensuous state, which the understanding calls the highest possible existence. When this is so…
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Hegel's Lectures on the History of Philosophy
States what Nianfo is.
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Philosophers who discussed Nianfo

Buddhism

Related ideas

Place in the tradition

Part of Japanese philosophy.

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