Nianfo

The Nianfo (Chinese: 念佛; pinyin: niànfó), alternatively in Japanese as 念仏 (ねんぶつ, nenbutsu), Korean: 염불; RR: yeombul, or in Vietnamese: niệm Phật, is a Buddhist practice central to the East Asian Buddhism. The Chinese term nianfo is a translation of Sanskrit buddhānusmṛti (or "recollection of the Buddha"), which is a classic Buddhist mindfulness (smṛti) practice.^[1]

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, the term nianfo typically refers to the oral repetition of the name of Amitābha through the phrase "Homage to Amitabha Buddha" (Ch: 南無阿彌陀佛, Mandarin: Nāmó Ēmítuófó, Jp: Namu Amida Butsu; from the 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, mindfully chanting of the name of Amitābha is mainly seen as a way to obtain birth in Amitābha's pure land of Sukhāvatī ("Blissful"). It is felt that reciting the nianfo can negate vast stores of negative karma as well as channel the Buddha's power which can take us to his pure land. Sukhāvatī is a place of peace and refuge. Once 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.