禪院的老外唸經,他們敲木魚,引磬,用一種緩慢規律的腔調,莊嚴肅穆,有一次,經念了快一半時,我發覺,這原來是心經,當下,感動莫名。

好奇想知道英文版的內容,特恭錄如下:

Chanting the Heart Sutra

A valokiteshvara Bodhisattva, when practing deeply the Prajna Paramita,

Perceived that all five skandhas are empty

And was saved from all suffering and distress.

O Shariputra, form does not differ from emptiness;

Emptiness does not differ from form.

That which is emptiness form.

The same is true of feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness.

O Shariputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness.

They do not appear or disappear, are not tainted or pure,

Do not increase or decrease.

Therefore in emptiness: no form, no feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness;

No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind;

No color, no sound, no smell, no taste, no touch, no object of mind;

No realm of eyes and so forth and so forth until no realm of mind-consciousness;

No ignorance and also no extinction of it.. until no old-age and death

And also no extinction of it;

No suffering, no origination, no stopping, no path,

No congnition, also no attainment.

With nothing to attain the bodhisattva depends on Prajna Paramita

And his mind is no hindrance.  Without any hindrance no fears exist.

Far apart from every perverted view he dwells in nirvana.

In the three worlds all Buddhas depend on Prajna Paramita

And attain anuttara-samyaksambodhi.

Therefore, know the Prajna Paramita is the great transcendent mantra,

Is the supreme mantra, which is able to relieve all suffering and is true not false;

So proclaim the Prajna Paramita mantra, proclaim the mantra, which says:

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha.

                 (final three bows)

Lotus Zen Temple:  WWW.LOTUSTEMPLE.US