1. What is the Odaimoku?
The Odaimoku is another name for Daimoku that is chanted using the original seven-character Daimoku, Na-Mu-Myo-Ho-Ren-Ge-Kyo, in a slow, elongated fashion.
2. When was it first chanted?
The Buddhist Tendai founder Saicho popularized the mantra “Namu Ichijō Myōhō Renge yō" as a way to honor the Lotus Sutra as the One Vehicle teaching of the Buddha. Nichiren, who was also a Tendai monk, edited the chant down to Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō (Stone, 1998). This seven-character Daimoku is what Nichiren chanted in April, 1253 when he first declared his conversion to the Lotus Sutra and started his sect.
3. Why are the Buddhists of African Descent providing a space for people to chant the Odaimoku together?
BAD would like to support independent practitioners who may elect to embrace this form of the chant or who would like to periodically experience the effects of chanting the elongated Daimoku.
4. Is there a difference between nam and namu?
In fact, there is. Nam is a Sanskrit word, derived from or a contraction of “nama” and/or “namaste”, meaning to salute with respect, to bow down in homage or worship. It is understood as a simpler, more convenient way to chant the Daimoku at a fast pace. Namu is the actual Japanese transliteration and pronunciation of the first two Chinese characters of the written Daimoku.
5. How do you actually recite the Odaimoku?
Sometimes people will prolong all seven characters, as when doing Daimoku sancho or hiki Daimoku. Other times practitioners will follow a stricter protocol in which the sound of the syllables Na, Mu, and Myo are very long (full breath); Ren and Kyo are slightly shorter (half a breadth); Ho and Ge are short (1-2 seconds). The duration of each character is said to be determined by the length of the tail strokes of the character on the Gohonzon.
6. Are there sects that traditionally chant the Odaimoku?
Yes. Most Nichiren Schools, lay organizations or spin-offs chant the Odaimoku. This includes Nichiren Shu and Kempon Hokke. Nichiren Shoshu and its branches or offshoots, including the Soka Gakkai, traditionally chant Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo.