Hannya Shingyo - The Heart Sutra

The Hannya Shingyo, also known as the "Heart Sutra," is a popular Buddhist scripture in East Asian Mahayana traditions, particularly in Japan. It is a Japanese transliteration of the Sanskrit term "Prajnaparamita Hridaya Sutra," which means "Heart Sutra of the Perfection of Wisdom."
The Hannya Shingyo is a concise yet profound text that encapsulates the essence of the Prajnaparamita teachings on emptiness. It is often chanted or recited in various Buddhist rituals and practices, including funerals, meditation sessions, and temple ceremonies.
The sutra begins with the phrase "Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo," which can be translated as "The Great Heart of Wisdom Sutra." It is believed to have been translated into Chinese by the Indian monk and scholar Xuanzang in the 7th century.
The Hannya Shingyo follows a similar structure to the longer Heart Sutra and shares the same core teachings on emptiness and the interconnectedness of all phenomena. It emphasizes that all things are fundamentally empty of inherent existence, including the self. The sutra teaches that by recognizing and realizing the nature of emptiness, one can transcend suffering and delusion, attaining wisdom and liberation.
One of the notable aspects of the Hannya Shingyo is its inclusion of the mantra "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha," which is the same as the mantra found at the end of the Heart Sutra. This mantra is often translated as "Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, O what an awakening, all-hail!" It represents the aspiration to go beyond conventional understanding and reach the ultimate awakening or enlightenment.
The Hannya Shingyo holds a significant place in Japanese Buddhism and is recited by practitioners of various Buddhist schools, including Zen. The chanting of the sutra is considered a meditative practice that helps deepen one's understanding of emptiness and cultivates mindfulness and concentration.
The Hannya Shingyo, or Heart Sutra, is a revered Buddhist scripture that conveys profound teachings on emptiness, wisdom, and liberation. Its concise yet powerful message continues to inspire and guide practitioners on the path of awakening in Mahayana Buddhist traditions, particularly in Japan.
Filmed by El-Branden Brazil, at Annonji in Irumashi, Japan.
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