memorize the Heart Sutra

why haven’t I done this? it would be great brain practice and seems wise if I’m going to look at buddhism properly to study its scriptures

Cool to see there are 5 others who have taken this on. Cool if I could get it done before the other 4 who are still trying. Buddha smiled on competetiveness, didn’t he? Well, he always had that half-smile on, it was hard to tell what he thought.

I strongly recommend Red Pines’ translation. He explains every line at length; why he chose one word or phrase over another. He does this with a broad application of historic, philosophical, and linguistic context and analysis.

At the same time, know that you are free to adapt the language where it seriously challenges your philosophies or faith.

For example: I don’t accept “magic” as a real phenomenon. Not philosophically, spiritually, or scientifically. As translated by Pine, the sutra describes the culminating mantra as one of “great magic”. I substitute “great power”. The meaning is the same, ultimately, and it suits me better.

I also repeat that mantra in English since I reject the concept that enunciation of the Sanskrit has a unique value.

Repeating this sutra from memory is how we internalize its teaching. This “Buddhism in a nutshell” is one of the most profound philosophical and spiritual proclamations the human race has produced. It transcends bounds of religious faith, and incorporates many insights of even the most removed religious and philosophical traditions. We can find echoes of its view of the world in the Western tradition in various schools of philosophy (Epicureanism, Skepticism, even Hume’s Empiricism) as well as the mystical expressions of the Abramhamic faiths.

Make it your own, carry it with you. Good luck.