Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Divine Names & Invocation
The practice of invoking the divine by name is found across all traditions. Whether through the Jesus Prayer, dhikr of Allah's names, chanting Om, or reciting Namu Amida Butsu, the repetition of sacred names is understood to bring practitioners into the presence of the holy.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Calling on the name of Jesus; the Jesus Prayer
- Key Text
- Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 10:13
Islam
- Practice
- Dhikr — remembrance of Allah through His names
- Key Text
- Quran 33:41-42, 7:180
Judaism
- Practice
- HaShem, Adonai — reverent names; forbidden to erase
- Key Text
- Exodus 3:14; Psalm 8:1
Hinduism
- Practice
- Japa — repetition of divine names (Om, Rama, Krishna)
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 10:25; Vishnu Sahasranama
Buddhism
- Practice
- Nembutsu / Nianfo — invocation of Amitabha Buddha's name
- Key Text
- Sukhavativyuha Sutra; AN 6.10