The Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra
The Heart Sutra is the main sutra in Zen Buddhism. It's a very short
sutra that contains the essence of the Buddha's teaching in around 300
words. It's a popular sutra in Japan, even among people who aren't
particularly interested in Buddhism. Its full name is the “Heart Sutra of
Prajna” or the “Heart of Great Real Wisdom Sutra”, because it contains
the heart of a much longer sutra called the Great Real Wisdom Sutra.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva,
when deeply practicing prajna‐paramita,
clearly saw that the five skandas are all empty,
and was saved from all suffering and distress.
Sariputra,
form is no different to emptiness,
emptiness no different to form.
That which is form is emptiness,
that which is emptiness, form.
Sensations, perceptions, impressions, and consciousness
are also like this.
Sariputra,
all things and phenomena are marked by emptiness;
they are neither appearing nor disappearing,
neither impure nor pure,
neither increasing nor decreasing.
Therefore, in emptiness,
no forms, no sensations, perceptions, impressions, or consciousness;
no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, mind;
no sights, sounds, odors, tastes, objects of touch, objects of mind;
no realm of sight up to no realm of consciousness;
no ignorance and no end of ignorance,
up to no aging and death,
and no end of aging and death;
no suffering, accumulation, cessation, or path;
no wisdom and no attainment.
With nothing to attain,
bodhisattvas
rely on prajna‐paramita,
and their minds are without hindrance.
They are without hindrance,
and thus without fear.
Far apart from all confused dreams,
they dwell in nirvana.
All buddhas of the past, present and future
rely on prajna‐paramita,
and attain anuttara‐samyak‐sambodhi.
Therefore, know that prajna‐paramita
is the great transcendent mantra,
the great bright mantra,
the supreme mantra,
the unequalled balanced mantra,
that can eliminate all suffering,
and is real, not false.
So proclaim the prajna‐paramita mantra,
proclaim the mantra that says:
gate, gate,
paragate,
parasamgate,
bodhi, svaha!
The Heart Sutra of Prajna.