The Sutra on the Heart of Realizing Wisdom Beyond Wisdom, as Translated by Kazuaki Tanahashi and Joan Halifax in 2002 (Public Domain)

Below I would like to share a wonderful translation of what is commonly referred to as the Heart Sutra. It, this translation, was originally published by Shambhala Publications in the Heart Sutra, a Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism, written by Kazuaki Tanahashi. Somewhere between its conception and publication, it was put into the public domain. Despite this, I can't seem to find an online copy, even though it truly is an innovative translation, done by Mr Tanahashi and Mrs Joan Halifax, based off centuries old Chinese and Sanskrit works, said in legend to have been revealed en vision by Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara herself. Notwithstanding; the Sutra itself is one of the most prominent and most recited texts in all of Buddhism.

Mr Tanahashi's Comprehensive Guide explores the rich history of the text, its meaning, and examines translations from across the globe. I, as a very amateur student of Buddhism, recommend it for anyone of any faith who takes their spirituality seriously.

Below is his translation.



I would to point out one thing I found highly inspirational. Tanahashi and Halifax translated the Sanskrit word shunyata as boundlessness. Almost every English translation I've read elsewhere translates shunyata as emptiness. Having studied the Sutra in both contexts, I prefer to keep the Sanskrit, as a means of showing I really don't understand it yet. Knowing and understanding and practicing are three very separate (or maybe not, as described below) things. The Sutra covers a variety of ideas; the nature of reality, the reality of nature, and I like to play around with the idea of pantheism with it as well. All these things I will talk more about later.

Without further to do...

The Sutra on the Heart of Realizing Wisdom Beyond Wisdom

Avalokiteshvara, who helps all to awaken,

moves in the deep course of

realizing wisdom beyond wisdom,

sees that all five streams of

body, heart, and mind are without boundary,

and frees all from anguish.

O Shariputra [who listens to the teachings of the Buddha],

form is not separate from boundlessness;

boundlessness is not separate from form.

Form is boundlessness; boundlessness is form.

Feelings, perceptions, inclinations, and discernment are also like this.

O Shariputra,

boundlessness is the nature of all things.

It neither arises nor perishes,

neither stains nor purifies,

neither increases nor decreases.

Boundlessness is not limited by form,

nor by feelings, perceptions, inclinations, or discernment.

It is free of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind;

free of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and any object of mind;

free of sensory realms, including the realm of the mind.

It is free of ignorance and the end of ignorance.

Boundlessness is free of old age and death,

and free of the end of old age and death.

It is free of suffering, arising, cessation, and path,

and free of wisdom and attainment.

Being free of attainment, those who help all to awaken

abide in the realization of wisdom beyond wisdom

and live with an unhindered mind.

Without hindrance, the mind has no fear.

Free from confusion, those who lead all to liberation

embody profound serenity.

All those in the past, present, and future,

who realize wisdom beyond wisdom,

manifest unsurpassable and thorough awakening.

Know that realizing wisdom beyond wisdom

is no other than this wondrous mantra,

luminous, unequalled, and supreme.

It relieves all suffering.

It is genuine, not illusory.

So set forth this mantra of realizing wisdom beyond wisdom.

Set forth this mantra that says:

GATÉ, GATÉ, PARAGATÉ, PARASAMGATÉ, BODHI! SVAHA!