Re: OT: NMRK

Chris Bates scripsit:

> Sorry.... but what does "NamMyohoRengeKyo" mean? Is it a representation
> of American English somehow, or a word game, or Chinese or ....? I'm
> very confused... I'd be grateful if anyone could email me an explanation
> on or off list.
I don't mind this being discussed on-list, since we are talking about a
religious application of language rather than language itself.

The phrase is the Sino-Japanese adaptation of a Chinese phrase, most of
which is itself a translation of the title of the Lotus Sutra, one of the
most important sacred writings of Mahayana Buddhism.  The "Nam" part means
"hail to" or "honor to", roughly.  The other six characters say
(sans syntax) "Dharma Lotus Sutra".  All of these terms are extremely
polyvalent, so one can translate it flatfootedly as "Honor the Lotus Sutra"
or more interpretatively as "Devotion to the teaching (sutra) of the mystic
law of the universe (dharma)".

In any case, it is the chief, often the only, mantra (meditative incantation)
of the Nichiren schools of Buddhism.  For more details, consult
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nichiren_Buddhism and chase links.

> >I know I've defended the No Cross No Crown rule in the past,
Strictly speaking, we have no such rule.  Religion and politics, like
text editors and auxlangs, may not be *advocated* for here, but they may
certainly be *discussed*, with appropriate tact and due regard for people's
individual feelings.

> >Something like [nam.mj7:h7:4eN.ge:kj7:] can be used; [o]'s instead of
> >[7]'s. The "ge" is normally short, but is lengthened for purposes of
> >repeated chanting. Likewise, the "nam" has been shortened from "namu".
It's useful to have this phonetic information.

--
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