Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華經

Daimoku
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Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō (南無妙法蓮華經, also, in some schools Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō; Devotion to the Law of the Lotus Flower Scripture) is a mantra that is chanted as the central practice of all forms of Nichiren Buddhism. The mantra is referred to as Daimoku (題目, title; also, in some schools, O-daimoku: お題目) and was first revealed by the Japanese Buddhist teacher Nichiren on the 28th day of the fourth lunar month of AD 1253 at Kiyosumi-dera (also, Seichōji) near Kominato in current-day Chiba, Japan. The practice of chanting the daimoku is called shōdai (唱題). The purpose of chanting daimoku is to attain perfect and complete awakening (enlightenment).
The phrase is difficult to render into English because each word or set of words contains a complex set of symbolism and connotation, and without an understanding of the semiotic significance of the words, the full meaning is lost.

Meaning
The invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by Nichiren on April 28, 1253. Having studied widely among all the Buddhist sutras, he had concluded that the Lotus Sutra contains the ultimate truth of Buddhism: that everyone without exception has the potential to attain Buddhahood. The title of the Lotus Sutra in its Japanese translation is Myoho-renge-kyo. But to Nichiren, Myoho-renge-kyo was far more than the title of a Buddhist text, it was the expression, in words, of the Law of life which all Buddhist teachings in one way or another seek to clarify. What follows is a brief and unavoidably limited explanation of some of the key concepts expressed by this phrase.
Nam: The word nam derives from Sanskrit. A close translation of its meaning is "to devote oneself." Nichiren established the practice of chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a means to enable all people to put their lives in harmony or rhythm with the law of life, or Dharma. In the original Sanskrit, nam indicates the elements of action and attitude, and refers therefore to the correct action one needs to take and the attitude one needs to develop in order to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime.
Myoho: Myoho literally means the Mystic Law, and expresses the relationship between the life inherent in the universe and the many different ways this life expresses itself. Myo refers to the very essence of life, which is "invisible" and beyond intellectual understanding. This essence always expresses itself in a tangible form (ho) that can be apprehended by the senses. Phenomena (ho) are changeable, but pervading all such phenomena is a constant reality known as myo.
Renge: Renge means lotus flower. The lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect. The circumstances and quality of our individual lives are determined by the causes and effects, both good and bad, that we accumulate (through our thoughts, words and actions) at each moment. This is called our "karma." The law of cause and effect explains that we each have personal responsibility for our own destiny. We create our destiny and we can change it. The most powerful cause we can make is to chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo; the effect of Buddhahood is simultaneously created in the depths of our life and will definitely manifest in time.
The lotus flower grows and blooms in a muddy pond, and yet remains pristine and free from any defilement, symbolizing the emergence of Buddhahood from within the life of an ordinary person.
Kyo: Kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a Buddha. In this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration. Also, the Chinese character for kyo originally meant the warp in a piece of woven cloth, symbolizing the continuity of life throughout past, present and future. In a broad sense, kyo conveys the concept that all things in the universe are a manifestation of the Mystic Law.
Primary Practice: Chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo--also known as "Daimoku"--is the primary practice of some 12 million SGI buddhist members throughout the world. Through this practice, one is able to reveal the state of Buddhahood in one's life, experienced as the natural development of joy, increased vitality, courage, wisdom and compassion. It was envoked by Nichiren as the fundamental way of practice of buddhist faith for all people, as found in the Lotus Sutra.
"When deluded, one is called an ordinary being, but when enlightened, one is called a Buddha. This is similar to a tarnished mirror that will shine like a jewel when polished. A mind now clouded by the illusions of the innate darkness of life is like a tarnished mirror, but when polished, it is sure to become like a clear mirror, reflecting the essential nature of phenomena and the true aspect of reality. Arouse deep faith, and diligently polish your mirror day and night. How should you polish it? Only by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo."
--Nichiren, On Attaining Buddhahood in This Lifetime

Pop culture

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The chant is used prominently by jazz singer Jon Lucien in his song 'Creole Lady,' the last minute and a half of the song is a thick chorus of vocalists chanting.
In The Pretenders song "Boots of Chinese Plastic" Chrissie Hynde begins with Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō
Nam-myoho-renge-kyo is chanted in the film "Vice Versa" when Judge Reinhold's character "Marshall" sees a Buddhist monk to retrieve the artifact (skull) that switched over the father and son.
Marlon Wayans uses the chant in an episode of "The Wayans Bros", accentuating the ge part to scare a male actor he was planned to kiss.
The chant appears in an episode of the television series The Monkees, "Mijacogeo" (1968), as a mystical chant Micky got from a cereal box top.
The chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is also repeated in the film "The Taking of Pelham 123" by a female passenger who thinks the speeding train may crash.
Myōhō Renge Kyō appears as a repeated chant in the background of the 2006 Xzibit single Concentrate for nearly the entire song. It has been suggested this is ironic given the lyrical content of the song is about Xzibit losing his concentration every time he sees a pretty girl.
Myōhō Renge Kyō also appears in a song (of the same name) by Indian Ocean in their album Jhini.
In the play "A Good Time" by Ernest Thompson, the character of Mandy Morgan constantly chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō to calm herself.
Dennis Quaid's character in the movie Innerspace chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō during a period of danger.
Randy Quaid's character in the movie The Last Detail chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō after meeting a girl who introduces him to Buddhism. The characters played by Jack Nicholson and Otis Young mistakenly think he is chanting Indiana Dog.
Curtis Armstrong aka Dudley "Booger" Dawson Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987) chants Myōhō Renge Kyō when forced semi nude to walk close to a crocodile pit.
It also appears in an episode of Boy Meets World. In the episode "Model Family," Cory quotes this chant and subsequently states "you are so bizarre."
Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō is present, along with Soka Gakkai International (SGI) meetings, in the classic 1973 film The Last Detail, with Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid as a prisoner being escorted from Norfolk to a New England Naval Prison.
Many people also remember this chant also from Tina Turner's 1993 biographical film What's Love Got to Do with It
While attempting to speak to an attractive workmate, Homer Simpson babbles Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō, among other things, reading it off his sweaty palm which was no longer legible in The Simpsons episode "The Last Temptation of Homer."
This chant is mentioned by M-1 of Dead Prez in the song "Land, Bread & Housing".
In Akira Kurosawa's 1970 film Dodesukaden, the mother of "trolley-crazy" Rokkuchan chants Nam Myōhō Renge Kyō; this is paralleled with Rokkuchan's nonsense chant Do desu ka den.
The band Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. has released an hour-long album of their musical interpretation of the chant, titled Nam Myo Ho Ren Ge Kyo.
In the film 'Les Randonneurs' - 'The Hikers' by Philippe Harel
In Damien Rice's Cold water (as performed at BBC4 sessions)
Courtney Love said in her blog: "nam myoho renge kyo and may all impediments create JOY in you." As credited to her recovery with the help of a good friend, SGI buddhist, Orlando Bloom.
In Music Emporium's debut album (Sundazed Music Inc. 1969), the title track is titled, "Nam Myo Renge Kyo."
This is probably the "phrase of just 16 letters" that is referred to at the end of the book 'The Buddha, Geoff and Me' by Edward Canfor-Dumas.
This phrase is chanted at the funeral of Senna in the movie "Bleach: Memories of Nobody."
'Na Mu Myoho Rienge Kyo FuthaMuka!' completes the final verse of the song "This Message" by Jim's Big Ego.
In the latest recent DVD release of 1 Giant Leap 'What about me?' in disc 2, the beginning of the 1 Giant Leap journey through out the planet, starts in London in Maxi Jazz's (Faithless) apartment where he invites Duncan Bridgeman, from 1 Giant Leap to chant with him.
This chant is intoned by Rudy Reyes in episode two of "Generation Kill" twice; first as he prays before returning to his Humvee, secondly as he "spots" for his sniper teammate "Pappy" Patrick.
Marisa Tomei chants "Nam Myoho Renge Kyo" in the movie "The Guru"
It is the chant that helps Orel meditate in the episode "Praying" of "Moral Orel."