There are at least three styles for reciting the nembutsu in Shin Buddhism.
1. Jūnen (十念) To recite the nembutsu ten times, Inspired by the 18th vow of Amida Buddhafrom the Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life.
2. Nembutsu Ichi-é (念仏一会): To recite the nembutsu with no number in mind. Short bursts of this can occur at any time during a service or Dharma talks.
3. Sanshōrai (三唱礼): A particular style of nembutsu recitation where you recite the nembutsu three times -in ‘strident’ or ‘penetrating’ monotones (naaaaaa maaaan daaaaa buuuuu), then a bow – with gassho and onjue* at the end of the third recitation. The cycle then repeats twice (9 in total).

at the end of the third recitation. The cycle then repeats twice (9 in total).

In formal Shin temple services, one sits either in chair (in the USA thy call them pews) or on the floor in ‘seiza’. Seiza is a traditional Japanese way of kneeling. with the body resting on the feet. In the most traditional Shin services, sitting on the floor (on tatami mats) is the only option. In this case, the following Sanshōrai procedure may be employed: 1) stand 2) chat 3x strident nembutsu with gassho and onjue 3) seiza 4) deep bow in seiza 5) rise and repeat three times in total. This sequence may also be performed from a chair, as follows: 1) three strident nembutsu – with gassho, 2) stand, 3) nembutsu Ichi-é - with gassho and onjue; 4) sit. repeat three times.

Throughout the SBFUK Buddha Service we express the Nembutsu together in two distinct ways. Before the service even begins we gently chant na-man-da-bu in the Nembutsu Ichi-é style, and short bursts of this style of Nembutsu can occur at any time during a service or Dharma talks.

The penultimate chant in the SBFUK Buddha Service is a variation on the Sanshōrai style Nembutsu. In an individual development based upon the chanting style of the Seed Syllables (OM-AH-HUM) from the Tibetan tradition, we chant NAAAAAA MAAAAAN DAAAAA BUUUUU in sustained and strident tones just six times; with the first being performed solo by the doshi/chant leader. This number (1+5) conforms with the traditional Shin rendition.

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