Mantra · Buddhist practice
Nam Mo A Di Da Phat
Homage to Amitābha Buddha
Nam mô A Di Đà Phật
The Vietnamese recitation of Amitābha's name — the same practice as the Japanese nembutsu and the Chinese nianfo, in Vietnamese. It doubles as a greeting between practitioners and a word said on parting.
Source: Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra; Vietnamese Pure Land (Tịnh Độ) recitation
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Nam mô A Di Đà Phật
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What the words say
Nam mô is namas, homage. A Di Đà is the Vietnamese reading of Amitābha, the Buddha of Immeasurable Light. Phật is buddha. Written in the Latin-based quốc ngữ script Vietnamese has used since the twentieth century, though the words themselves came through Chinese.
Where it comes from
Pure Land practice reached Vietnam from China and, with Thiền (Zen), forms the main current of Vietnamese Buddhism; the two are commonly practised together rather than held apart. The underlying vow is the same one recorded in the Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra.
How it is practised
Recited on a chuỗi of 108 beads, chanted in temple services, and repeated silently through the day. Often said six syllables at a time in rhythm with the breath.
References
- Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra (Larger Pure Land Sūtra)
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