英語訳
【Right Page: Final page of the Brief Commentary on the Heart Sutra】
【Upper section】
Resentments dissolve, and furthermore, through deep compassion and self-humility, perfecting cause and fruition, there has never been one who became a teacher without delivering beings from the five realms of existence, or who became a master spanning the ten directions.
The sutra says "truly real, not false." The commentary says: To remove doubt and encourage faith, these words are repeated. How could there be anyone who would abandon the position of a great wheel-turning king, dwell in quiet forests casting off ornaments, proclaim the honor of compassionate father and dharma king, walk the various paths while bearing praise, face dragons and elephants, guide heavenly beings and humans, and deceive sentient beings? This is truly impossible. Therefore the sutra says "The Tathagata is one who speaks truthfully" up to "one who speaks consistently." Thus one should believe and follow, and not give rise to shock or doubt.
The sutra says "Therefore the Prajna Paramita mantra is proclaimed, namely: Gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha." The commentary says: Previously the dharma meaning was explained to encourage faithful study, but to quickly prepare spiritual powers, the mantra is further explained. Ximingsi says: The phrases like "gate" have been transmitted from ancient times. This mantra is the correct pronunciation of the Western Regions, with secret phrases. Translation would lose its efficacy, so the Sanskrit is preserved. Also, within mantras are explained the names of various saints, or names of spirits and demons, or the profound meanings of various dharmas. The words contain multiple meanings. There is no single correct interpretation, so the Sanskrit pronunciation is preserved. One interpretation: "Gate gate" means "cross over, cross over," eulogizing the two characters "prajna" from the preceding prose. This reveals that prajna has great power to cross over oneself and others, hence "cross over, cross over." Next, "para" means "reaching the other shore," eulogizing "paramita" from the prose. Though it says "cross over, cross over," where does one cross to? Namely to the other shore. This is the place of crossing, hence "paragate." The next "para" is as above. "Samgate" means "completely reaching," eulogizing the two characters "ultimate" from the prose.
【Lower section】
Next, "bodhi" means awakening, which is the essence of the other shore. Next, "svaha" means "swiftly" - through wonderful wisdom having superior function, one can swiftly reach the shore of bodhi.
Master Kukai says: The first "gate" reveals the practice and fruition of sravakas; the second "gate" indicates the practice and fruition of pratyekabuddhas; the third "paragate" points to the supreme practice and fruition of the Mahayana; the fourth "parasamgate" clarifies the complete perfect circular practice and fruition of the mandalas of true word teachings; the fifth "bodhi svaha" explains the meaning of ultimate bodhi realization and entry of all the above vehicles.
The Hizo-ki states: "Gate gate" means the meaning of practice (bodhisattva practice, Buddha practice); "para" means perfect supreme meaning; "gate para sam" means harmony meaning; "gate bodhi svaha" means ultimate meaning, perfect meaning, awakening meaning, accomplishment meaning, profound mysterious meaning.
I believe that although two or three schools interpret character and phrase meanings, since Master Cien already does not interpret them, it is clear this is esoteric teaching that does not rely on exoteric interpretation. The phrase meanings are thus inconceivable.
Brief Commentary on the Heart Sutra - End
【New Page】
【Upper section】
Heart Sutra Profound Eulogy Commentary, Volume 1
First, this text is named "Profound Eulogy" because the Heart Sutra is named "profound" and the present commentary is named "eulogy." One sheet has seventeen lines with 276 characters. The language is brief and concise, the principles are profound and distant, difficult for the ignorant to understand. Hence the Heart Sutra is named "profound." The present commentary assists this, enabling understanding of its principles. Hence it is named "eulogy." Eulogy means to assist. Also, "profound" means mysterious principle, and "eulogy" is a word of praise. The present commentary is mysterious, hence named "Profound Eulogy."
Composed by Dasheng Ji (Kuiji): He was a disciple of Master Xuanzang. Often he wrote only his name under "Dasheng" - namely Dasheng Guang, etc. In total the master had two names: either Ji or Hongdao. Ji was his personal name which attendants did not call. Hongdao was his courtesy name which others called. He is commonly called Master Cien, which was not the master's personal name but the name of the temple where he resided. In Tang capital, there were five temples each on left and right, together called the Ten Great Temples. Da Cien Temple was a temple on the left side. This temple was formerly a nunnery. When Emperor Gaozong was crown prince, he established it for his mother, Empress Wende. Because it was built to repay his compassionate mother's kindness, it was named Cien Temple. Master Xuanzang resided at this temple. The Tripitaka Master received devotion from two generation emperors Taizong and Gaozong. Since the master was his disciple, he probably resided at this temple. The Tripitaka Master took Eleven-faced Avalokitesvara as his main deity and the Heart Sutra as his primary sutra, with deep devotional practice, translating many sacred teachings. The main deity Avalokitesvara manifested as Master Cien to propagate the Tripitaka Master's dharma teachings. That the master was a transformation body of Eleven-faced [Avalokitesvara] is recorded in Kojima Jokei's private notes. The mudra is also clear.
【Lower section】
Placing "The commentary says" at the very beginning of the commentary is not usual practice, but there is no problem since it is to explain the title. First citing the title is because the origins are separate, so the phrase "The commentary says" is placed.
The commentary says "Now for sentient beings" to "right and wrong that wise ones should understand" explains the origin of composing this commentary. "Now for sentient beings" to "alternately giving rise to grasping and rejection" presents the recipients of the teaching. There are four types: Those obscured by habitual tendencies are ordinary beings. Those who respectfully receive heterodox teachings are non-Buddhists. Those who slander the Mahayana and mutually give rise to aversion and hope are adherents of Lesser Vehicle. "Even if hoping for liberation but unable to understand" reiterates that ordinary beings, non-Buddhists, and Lesser Vehicle adherents, though seeking liberation, due to evil friends in the latter age, heretical teachers giving wrong instruction, and disciples' confused study, become discouraged with extensive sutras and don't seek them, and though enjoying brief sutras, don't understand them.
Question: If Lesser Vehicle adherents slander the Mahayana, why are there types who develop attachment and give rise to hope regarding emptiness teachings? Is it because teachings expounding dharma-emptiness are all Mahayana teachings?
Answer: Within the Lesser Vehicle there are two types. The foolish dharma type slanders the Mahayana. The non-foolish dharma type, regarding emptiness teachings, believes even without understanding them. Or they develop attachment to existence teachings but don't develop attachment to emptiness teachings, giving rise to aversion.
Question: Then why say "alternately"?
Answer: Giving rise to aversion to one and hope to another. It is called "alternately" in this way.
Question: What is "liberation"?
Answer: Ordinary beings and non-Buddhists seek nirvana; Lesser Vehicle adherents seek the greater vehicle.