The "Namu Amida Butsu" formula and the problem of expression in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism

In spite of its apparent simplicity and straightforwardness, the practice of expressing of homage to Amida Buddha through the phrase 南無阿弥陀仏 (ch. nánwú ēmítuó fó, j. namu amida butsu) is deeply rooted in the most fundamental ideas of the Pure Land Buddhism, such as the relying on Other-power (j. tariki, 他力), or the meditative remembrance of the Buddha (s. buddhānusmṛti, ch. niànfó, j. nembutsu, 念仏). Several of such foundational ideas will be identified and discussed, only to show that their consequences might not always be compatible. Under such circumstances disagreements as to the proper way of understanding and practicing of the act of utterance are to be expected. The attention of the reader will then be directed to the 12/13th century Japan, that is to the time and place where all the important interpretations of the issue in question were voiced. Generally the tension between faith (j. shin, 信) and practice (j. gyō, 行) will be employed as the main perspective for analyses, which will lead to the presentation of typology of interpretations concerning their mutual relations, and - through that - to different interpretations of an act of utterance itself.