Avalokiteshvara
Bodhisattva, when deeply practicing prajna paramita,clearly saw that
all five aggregates are empty and thus relieved all suffering.
Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness, emptiness does not
differ from form.
Form itself is emptiness, emptiness itself
form. Sensations, perceptions, formations, and consciousness are
also like this. Shariputra, all dharmas are marked by emptiness; they neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled
nor pure, neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, given emptiness, there are no forms,
sensations, perceptions, formations, or consciousness; no eye, ear, nose,
tongue, body, or mind; no sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch, or objects
of mind; no realm of sight, and so forth, down to no realm of mind
consciousness. There is neither ignorance nor extinction of ignorance, and so
forth, down to neither old age and death, nor extinction of old age and
death; no suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path; no knowledge and no
attainment. With nothing to attain, a bodhisattva relies on prajna paramita,
and thus the mind is without hindrance. Without hindrance, there is no fear. Far beyond all inverted views, one realizes
nirvana. All buddhas of past, present, and future rely on prajna paramita
and thereby attain unsurpassed, complete, perfect enlightenment. Therefore,
know the prajna paramita as the great miraculous mantra, the great bright
mantra, the supreme mantra, the incomparable mantra, which removes all
suffering and is true, not false. Therefore we proclaim the prajna
paramita mantra, the mantra that says: "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate
Bodhi Svaha."
(Feb. 6, 1998;
revised version)