空そら念ねん仏ぶつ

noun

empty words; lip service; insincere chanting

Literally 'empty nembutsu', referring to chanting a Buddhist prayer without sincerity. Figuratively, it means saying something without real feeling or commitment, like paying lip service.

• 彼かれの謝しゃ罪ざいは空そら念ねん仏ぶつに過すぎなかった。