The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra

Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion,

while practicing deeply the Perfection of Wisdom,

clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty,

and thus relieved all suffering.

O Śāriputra, form does not differ from emptiness,

and emptiness does not differ from form.

Form itself is emptiness, and emptiness itself is form.

So too are sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.

O Śāriputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness:

they do not arise nor cease,

they are neither impure nor pure,

neither increasing nor decreasing.

Therefore, in emptiness, there is no form,

no sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness;

no eye, no ear, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind;

no sight, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no objects of mind;

no realm of the eye, up to no realm of mind-consciousness.

There is neither ignorance nor extinction of ignorance,

neither old age and death nor extinction of old age and death;

no suffering, no origin of suffering,

no cessation of suffering, and no path;

no wisdom, no attainment, and nothing to attain.

Therefore, the Bodhisattvas rely on the Perfection of Wisdom,

and their minds are free from hindrances.

Without hindrances, there is no fear.

They transcend all delusions and finally attain Nirvana.

All Buddhas of the past, present, and future

rely on the Perfection of Wisdom,

and thereby attain supreme enlightenment.

Therefore, know that the Perfection of Wisdom

is the great transcendent mantra,

the great bright mantra,

the supreme mantra,

the incomparable mantra,

which removes all suffering and is true, not false.

Therefore, the mantra of the Perfection of Wisdom is proclaimed:

Gate Gate Pāragate Pārasamgate Bodhi Svāhā!