Heart Sutra (佛說聖觀自在菩薩不空王秘密心陀羅尼經)

The Sutra of the Secret Heart Mantra of Noble Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva of Unfailing Power

Translated by the Third-Tripitaka Master of the Western Heaven, Court-Faithful Grand Master, Acting Minister of Glorious Happiness, Master

Thus I have heard:

Once, the World-Honored One was residing in the palace of the Noble Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva on Mount Potalaka. This place was adorned with countless precious trees — the great sal trees, tamala trees, campaka trees, ashoka trees, and atimuktaka trees — all beautifully ornamented. He was accompanied by a great assembly of one million eight hundred thousand monks, and nine hundred quintillion billion bodhisattvas. Also present were many brahma gods, including the lord of self-existence and the great lord, as well as countless hundreds of thousands of pure-light devas. Reverently surrounding the World-Honored One, these beings listened as he taught the Dharma.

Then the holy Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Mahāsattva rose from his seat, bared his right shoulder, knelt on his right knee, joined his palms toward the Buddha in reverence, bowed with respect, and with a joyful smile addressed the Buddha: "World-Honored One! I possess a dhāraṇī called the Unsurpassed King, a secret heart-mantra. In a past age, ninety-one kalpas ago, I personally heard and received it from the Tathāgata at the World of Universal Contemplation, in the presence of the King of Self-Existing Tathāgatas. At that time, that Tathāgata was teaching the Dharma of Anuttarā Samyaksaṃbodhi to countless hundreds of thousands of Brahma gods and the assembly of Pure Light gods. Then I attained hundreds of thousands of samādhi gates, including the wisdom of the Unsurpassed. World-Honored One! Wherever this secret heart-mantra spreads and circulates in various directions, know that in that place, twelve thousand great gods, including the Great Sovereign, secretly guard and protect it. That place is like a stupa of all Buddhas and should be respected, honored, and offered to. Moreover, if someone widely disseminates this Unsurpassed King secret heart-mantra, know that this person has already deeply planted good roots at countless koṭis of nayutas of hundreds of thousands of Buddha fields. Further, if someone merely hears this dhāraṇī for a moment, even if that person has slandered the Buddha, the Dharma, and Bodhisattvas, Śrāvakas, Pratyekabuddhas, and other noble ones, and has committed such extremely grave sins that they would fall into the Avīci hell, if they can sincerely, for one day, remain pure and fasting, and recite this dhāraṇī in accordance with the Dharma, all such sins will be eliminated. Also, if someone suffers from various fevers—lasting one day, two days, or up to seven days—or from eye pain, ear pain, nose pain, headache, or from scabies, leprosy, sores, ulcers, carbuncles, swellings, blisters, and being possessed, bound, struck, cursed, threatened, or deceived by non-humans, demons, or邪 ghosts; in short, all physical and mental illnesses, even inauspicious events seen in dreams—through the power of this dhāraṇī, they will all be eliminated and rendered harmless. World-Honored One! Furthermore, if among the Kṣatriya, Brāhmaṇa, Vaiśya, or Śūdra castes, there are those with deceitful hearts, they too may hear, write, and recite this dhāraṇī. Even all animals and other beings of different kinds should be recited this dhāraṇī for so that they may hear it; upon hearing, they will accordingly obtain benefits. How much more so for those who have developed a pure and faithful mind—monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen—who sincerely hear and receive this dhāraṇī? Also, if someone contemplates the secret phrases of this dhāraṇī with a focused mind, they should then abandon all faults: do not slander, do not praise, do not give rise to doubt; let go of the self-centered mind, the mind of near and far, the mind of fabrication, the mind of defilement, and the mind of high and low. Abiding in such a mind, practice the contemplation of the Buddha. That person will then see a thousand Buddhas appear before them in each of the ten directions. World-Honored One! If in the home of a layperson there is a scripture containing this dhāraṇī, and whether the master or servant sees it, even if they treat it lightly or laugh at it, through the power of my majestic spiritual might, they will naturally come to hear the sound of this dhāraṇī. World-Honored One! It is like someone taking sandalwood, camphor, or musk, pounding, chopping, cursing with spells, grinding on rough stone, and applying it to the body. Some might say, 'There is no need for pounding, chopping, cursing, or grinding; once the sandalwood is applied to the body, its fragrance remains.' World-Honored One! My Unsurpassed King secret heart-mantra is also thus. Even if someone treats it lightly, laughs at it, or lacks sincerity, if they only make offerings to this dhāraṇī, through the power of those offerings, in life after life, they will always be endowed with aggregates such as morality, concentration, and wisdom, and their fragrance will be perfect and abundant. Furthermore, if monks, nuns, laymen, or laywomen wish to uphold this Unsurpassed King secret heart-mantra, they should, on the eighth day of the bright fortnight, arrange an altar according to the Dharma and make offerings. The practitioner must remain pure and fasting, and with a detached mind recite this secret heart-mantra seven times. This person will attain twenty kinds of merit: First, they will be born into wealth and nobility. Second, once born, all karmic illnesses from past lives will quickly be eliminated. Third, they will always have a smooth, beautiful body with all faculties concealed, loved by others. Fourth, they will obtain great wealth. Fifth, none of their treasures will be stolen. Sixth, none of their treasures will be destroyed by fire or swept away by water. Seventh, their fields will always increase. Eighth, the crops in their fields will not be damaged by thunder or hail. Ninth, the fields will not be harmed by excessive rain. Tenth, their complexion, strength, and spirit will not be diminished. Eleventh, they will always be respected and loved by all beings. Twelfth, they will not be frightened by any enemies. Thirteenth, if there are enemies, they will quickly be resolved. Fourteenth, they will not be frightened by any non-humans. Fifteenth, they will not be bound by severe illness. Sixteenth, they will not be afraid of *nāginīs* (female serpents). Seventeenth, they will be far from all afflictions. Eighteenth, they will not die from fire, water, weapons, or poison. Nineteenth, wherever they are, noble sages will always secretly guard them. Twentieth, in every life they will always be inseparable from loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. These are called the twenty kinds of merit."

"Furthermore, World-Honored One, those who uphold and recite this dhāraṇī will obtain eight auspicious signs: First, at the time of death, I will appear before them in the form of a monk. Second, at the time of death, their eyes will remain clear and undisturbed; their body and mind will be at peace. Third, at the time of death, their hands will not grasp at empty space, nor will their feet kick the ground; there will be no loss of control over bodily functions causing disorder or filth. Fourth, they will not die face-down. Fifth, at the time of death, they will abide in right mindfulness. Sixth, at the time of death, they will not be separated from virtuous friends. Seventh, after death, they will be reborn in whatever Buddha-land they wish. Eighth, in the life to come, they will attain inexhaustible eloquence. These are called the eight auspicious signs."

"Furthermore, World-Honored One! If someone can practice pure eating, avoiding the five pungent plants and all meat and impure foods, and recite this Dharani three times at each of the three times of day, all their wishes will be fulfilled. Also, if someone hears this Amoghapāśa Secret Heart Dharani correct teaching, and can cut off stinginess and jealousy, remove all defilements, and with a pure mind take refuge in and respectfully uphold this secret teaching, they will be counted among the Bodhisattvas. They will become a great benefit to all beings and will ultimately attain Buddhahood. World-Honored One! Here, 'Bodhi' means true wisdom, and 'Sattva' means skillful means. If one attains both this wisdom and skillful means, they can then act for the benefit of all beings."

At that time, the noble and great Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, I wish now to recite a secret heart mantra in your presence. May it benefit and bring peace to everyone in this assembly, including the fourfold community here. And may it also bring positive benefits to all who have committed wrongdoings."

The Buddha said to the noble Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, "Pure Great Being, now is the time for you to explain this well. Today the Tathāgata will also rejoice in this, and in the final ages to come, you will be a good refuge for those who follow the Bodhisattva path."

At that time, the noble Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva, his eyes bright with attention, looked up and gazed upon the World-Honored One. He then addressed the Buddha, saying:

“All the Bodhisattva assembly gathered here should listen carefully and take refuge. This liberation wheel can bring benefit and happiness to many people. It shows compassion for the world and accomplishes all great and beneficial deeds. I will now proclaim this Dharani. First, I take refuge in all the well-abiding Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the past, present, and future, as well as all Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas of the three times. I also take refuge in the Tathāgata of Infinite Light, the thus-come, worthy, fully enlightened one. I take refuge in the great Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas such as Maitreya, and in the great Arhats such as the wise Śāriputra.” Then he spoke the Dharani:

Namo Ratna Trayaya. Namo Arya Avalokiteshvaraya, Bodhisattvaya Mahasattvaya Mahakarunikaya. Ityapi namas kritva, idam Arya Avalokiteshvara-lochana-darshana-mukham namah. Amo-gha pasha-nama hridayam. Tathagata tri-mukha-bhashitam. Maha-darpashana-mati, aham anena mavarteshaya. Siddhantu me sarvva-karyani, sarvva-bhayeshu cha me. Laksha bhavantu.

Tadyatha: Om chala chala. Chili chili. Chulu chulu. Maha karunika. Siri siri. Chili chili. Viri viri. Maha padma-hastaya. Kala kala. Kili kili. Kulu kulu. Maha shuddha-sattvaya. Vidhva vidhva. Dhava dhava. Kini kini. Parama shuddha-sattvaya. Kala kala. Kili kili. Kulu kulu. Maha stama-praptaya. Chala chala. Sanchala. Vichala. Itatha itatha. Bhara bhara. Biri biri. Bhuru bhuru. Ihehi, maha karunika. Maha pashupati. Visha-dhara. Sara sara. Vara vara. Para para. Vara vara. Hara hara. Ha ha. He he. Ho ho. Om kala. Brahma visha-dhara. Dhara dhara. Dhiri dhiri. Dhuru dhuru. Tara tara. Sara sara. Para para. Vara vara. Rashmi shata-sahasra. Prati-manita sharira. Jvala jvala. Tapa tapa. Bhagavan. Soma. Anite. Yama. Varuna. Kuvira. Brahma. Indra. Rishi. Deva-gana-vyaticha-rana. Suru suru. Churu churu. Muru muru. Sanata-kumara. Rudra-vasava. Vishnu. Danana. Rishi. Vinayaka. Maho-vividha-visha-dhara. Dhara dhara. Dhiri dhiri. Dhuru dhuru. Gara gara. Para para. Rara rara. Rahu rahu. Hara hara. Mara mara. Vara vara. Varana yaka. Samanta valokita vilokita. Lokeshvara mahishvara. Muhu muhu. Muru muru. Maya maya. Mancha mancha. Laksha laksha. Mama sarvva-sattva-scha, sarvva-bhayebhyah. Sarvo-padravebhyah. Sarvo-parishadebhyah. Sarvva-grahebhyah. Madha. Mandhana. Tanana. Trajara. Raja-tas-kara-ghnataka. Visha. Shastra. Parimochaka. Ghana ghana. Ghini ghini. Ghunu ghunu. Chala chala. Indriya-mala-mochaka. Chaturya-satya-sampratyakshaka. Tama tama. Nama nama. Dhama dhama. Sama sama. Matha matha. Sama sama. Maha-dhmota-kara-vidhamana. Shata-para-mita-pari-puraka. Mili mili. Tata tata. Dada dada. Tata tata. Didi didi. Inya-chali-makrita-parigala. Ihehi, maha karunika. Ishvara. Maha-bhuta-gana-bhanjakа. Kuru kuru. Para para. Kala kala. Kata kata. Mata mata. Vishuddha-vishaya-vasana. Maha karunika. Shodhya-yogavita. Ratna-mukuta-mala-dhara. Sarvva-gyana-shrir-nyata. Mukuta-maho-dbhuta. Kamala-krita-karatara. Ana-samadi-vimoksha-praptya. Maha-sattva-santati-pari-pachaka. Maha karunika. Sarvva-karma-varana-vishodhaka. Sarvva-meidya-pramochaka. Aghala-mritau-prashamana. Sarvva-sattva-samashochaka-rama. Sarvva-shamanu-ratha-pari-puraka. Namo stute svaha.

**The Great Heart Dharani speaks:**

Om Ah Mu Ka Ya Svaha

The Dharani of Mindfulness says: