Monday, June 18, 2007

The Heart Sutra



"Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was dwelling in Rajagrha at Vulture Peak mountain, together with a gathering of the sangha of monks and a great gathering of the sangha of bodhisattvas. At that time the Blessed One entered the samadhi that expresses the dharma called "profound illumination," and at the same time noble Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattve mahasattva, while practicing the profound prajnaparamita, saw in this way: he saw the five skandas to be empty of nature."

"Then through the power of the Buddha, venerable Sariputra said to noble Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva mahasattva, "How should a son or daughter of noble family train, who wishes to practice the profound prajnaparamita?"

"Addressed in this way, noble Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva mahasattva, said to venerable Sariputra, "O Sariputra, a son or daughter of noble family who wishes to practice the profound prajnaparamita should see in this way: seeing the five skandas to be empty of nature....."

Note - This is a translation of the first 3rd of the Heart Sutra only. The monk is able to produce three tones at once. Try to do it yourself. The Heart Sutra is an important prayer in the Buddhist tradition.

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