the invocation of nam-myoho-renge-kyo was established by nichiren daishonin in 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, the lotus sutra is buddha's most referred to teaching on "emptiness", a central concept and necessary part of enlightenment
the lotus sutra is considered to be the most sacred teaching of the buddha, a close translation of nam is "to devote oneself", 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, 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 means lotus flower, the lotus blooms and produces seeds at the same time, and thus represents the simultaneity of cause and effect, kyo literally means sutra, the voice or teaching of a buddha, in this sense, it also means sound, rhythm or vibration, chanting nam-myoho-renge-kyo also known as daimoku, 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, ...