英語訳
**[Right page: Final page of "Brief Commentary on the Heart Sutra"]**
**[Upper section]**
It destroys enemies. Moreover, it deeply sympathizes with those who earnestly seek compassion, with both cause perfected and result complete. There has never been anything like extracting beings from the five realms of existence (hell, hungry ghosts, animals, asuras, humans) to serve as teacher, or spanning the ten directions as sovereign.
The sutra states "true and not false." The commentary explains: To remove doubt and encourage faith, these words are repeated. How could one abandon the position of a great wheel-turning king, dwell in quiet forests casting off ornaments, proclaim the honored title of compassionate father and dharma king, tread the various paths while enhancing reputation, face the dragon-elephants, guide gods and humans, and deceive and entice sentient beings—this would be impossible. Therefore the sutra says "The Tathāgata speaks truly" up to "speaks consistently." Thus one should believe and follow, and not give rise to alarm or doubt.
The sutra states: "Therefore the prajñāpāramitā mantra is spoken, the mantra is spoken thus: gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā." The commentary explains: Previously the dharma meaning was explained to encourage faith and study, but to quickly prepare spiritual functions, the mantra is additionally explained. According to Ximing: The phrases "gate" etc. have been transmitted from ancient times. This mantra is the authentic pronunciation of the Western Regions, with secret phrases. Translation would lose its efficacy, so the Sanskrit is preserved. Another interpretation of the mantra explains the names of various saints, or names of spirits and demons, or the profound meanings of all dharmas. The words contain multiple meanings. There is no proper correspondence, so the Sanskrit pronunciation is preserved. One explanation: gate gate means "crossing, crossing," praising the two characters "prajñā" from the preceding prose. This reveals that prajñā has great power—crossing oneself and crossing others, hence "crossing, crossing." Next, pāra means "reaching the other shore," praising "pāramitā" from the prose. Though it says "crossing, crossing," to where does one cross? Namely to the other shore. This is the place of crossing, hence "pāragate." The next pāra is as above. "Saṃgate" means "complete arrival," praising the two characters "ultimate" from the prose. Next, bodhi means "awakening," which is the essence of the other shore.
**[Lower section]**
Next, svāhā means "swiftly." Through wondrous wisdom having superior function, one can swiftly reach the shore of bodhi. Kūkai says: The first gate reveals the practice and fruit of śrāvakas; the second gate raises the practice and fruit of pratyekabuddhas; the third pāragate points to the supreme practice and fruit of the great vehicle; the fourth pārasaṃgate clarifies the practice and fruit of the perfect complete wheel of esoteric mandalas; the fifth bodhi svāhā explains the meaning of ultimate bodhi realization-entry of the above vehicles. The Secret Treasury Record states: gate gate means the meaning of practice-practice (referring to bodhisattva practice and buddha practice); pāra means perfect supreme meaning; gate pārasaṃ means harmonious union meaning; gate bodhi svāhā means ultimate meaning, perfect meaning, awakening meaning, accomplishment meaning, and profound mysterious meaning. Now I think: Although two or three schools interpret the character meanings and phrase meanings, Master Cien did not interpret them. Clearly this is secret teaching that does not rely on manifest interpretation. The phrase meanings are naturally difficult to contemplate.
Brief Commentary on the Heart Sutra (End)
**[Page One]**
**[Upper section]**
Heart Sutra Profound Praise Commentary, Volume 1 (Main text)
First, this text is called "Profound Praise" because the Heart Sutra is called "profound" and this commentary is called "praise." One sheet, seventeen lines, with few words but profound principles. It is difficult to understand before the ignorant, so the Heart Sutra is called "profound." This commentary assists it, enabling understanding of its principles, hence called "praise." Praise means to assist. Also, "profound" means mysterious meaning and words of praise. This commentary is mysterious, hence called "Profound Praise."
"Composed by Mahāyāna-ji": This refers to a disciple of Xuanzang Tripiṭaka. Under many Mahāyāna [works] he signs only his personal name, such as "Mahāyāna-guang" etc. Generally the master had two names: either Ji or Hongdao. Ji was his private name that others did not call him by. Hongdao was his courtesy name that others used. What the world calls "Master Cien" is not the master's personal name but the name of the temple where he resided. To the left and right of the Tang capital were five temples each, together called the Ten Great Temples. Great Cien Temple was a temple on the left side. This temple was formerly a nunnery. When Emperor Gaozong was crown prince, he established this temple for his mother, Empress Wende. Because it was built to repay his compassionate mother's kindness, it was named Cien Temple. Xuanzang Tripiṭaka resided at this temple. The Tripiṭaka received the devotion of Emperors Taizong and Gaozong of two generations. The master, being his disciple, probably resided at this temple. The Tripiṭaka took Eleven-faced Avalokiteśvara as his principal deity and the Heart Sutra as his regularly recited sutra. His prayers were extremely deep, and he translated many sacred teachings. The principal deity Avalokiteśvara manifested as Master Cien and propagated the Tripiṭaka's dharma teachings. That the master was a manifestation of Eleven-faced [Avalokiteśvara]
**[Lower section]**
appears in Kojima Jōkei's private records. The hand mudra is also clear.
Placing "Commentary states" at the very beginning of the commentary is not the usual way, but since it explains the title, there is no problem. First citing the title is because of the separation in origin, so the words "Commentary states" are placed.
Commentary states: "Now for sentient beings... the wise should understand right from wrong in subtle principles"—this is the origin of composing this commentary. "Now for sentient beings... successively generating acceptance and rejection" presents the intended audience. There are four types: "Obscured by binding habits" refers to ordinary beings. "Respectfully receiving false teachings" refers to non-Buddhists. "Slandering the Mahāyāna... mutually generating dislike and hope" refers to Hīnayāna practitioners. "Even if hoping for the essential way but unable to understand" reiterates ordinary beings, non-Buddhists, and Hīnayāna practitioners who, though seeking the essential way, encounter evil teachers and false instruction in the degenerate age, with disciples studying chaotically, becoming discouraged by large sūtras and not seeking them, and though enjoying brief sūtras, not understanding them.
Question: If Hīnayāna practitioners slander the Mahāyāna, how can there be types who generate attachment and hope regarding emptiness teachings? Is teaching dharma-emptiness entirely Mahāyāna teaching?
Answer: In Hīnayāna there are two types. The pudgalavāda type slanders Mahāyāna. The non-pudgalavāda type, regarding emptiness teachings, though not understanding them, believes in them. Or they generate attachment to existence teachings but not to emptiness teachings, generating dislike instead.
Question: Then why say "mutually"? Answer: Generating dislike toward one, generating hope toward one—thus called "mutual."
Question: What is "essential way"? Answer: Ordinary beings and non-Buddhists seek nirvana; Hīnayāna seeks the great [vehicle].