Sutra Transcription Procedure

Prajna Paramita Heart Sutra

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, while contemplating profoundly the Prajna Paramita, realized the Five Skandhas are empty and thus he was able to overcome all suffering.
Sariputra, form is not different from emptiness. Emptiness is not different from form. Form is in fact emptiness, and emptiness is in fact form. This also applies to feeling, perception, volition, and consciousness.
Sariputra, emptiness is the nature of all dharmas. It can neither be created nor annihilated, polluted nor cleansed, increased nor decreased. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, feeling, perception, volition, or consciousness. No eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind. No form, sound, smell, taste, touch, or conception. No object of sight, and no consciousness. No ignorance, nor its extinction; no aging and no death, nor their cessation. No suffering, causes, cessation, nor the path. No wisdom nor attainment.
As there is nothing to attain, a bodhisattva who relies on the Prajna Paramita has neither worry nor obstruction. Without worry and obstruction, there is no fear; away from confusion, daydreaming, and thus reaches Nirvana. Buddhas of the past, present, and future also rely on the Prajna Paramita, to attain Supreme Enlightenment.
Thus, one should know that Prajna Paramita is the great mantra, the mantra of illumination and the supreme of all mantras. It is an unequaled mantra and able to emancipate all suffering. This is true and not false. Thus in proclaiming the Prajna Paramita Mantra, one says,
“Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha.”.

A Prayer for the People Who Transcribe Sutras and Hear the Dharma

By Venerable Master Hsing Yun

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We would like to pray for those who transcribe sutras and hear the Dharma.
Please help us obtain our Chan delight and Dharma joy;
Please help us understand the teaching of carefreeness.
We pledge to follow your instructions and do our best to realize your Truth.
From now on, we will strive to practice the Buddha-Dharma.

Oh Buddha,
Please grant us mental and physical health.
Please grant us family harmony.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
We pray that the masses who transcribe sutras and hear the Dharma can realize your teachings and respectfully fulfill your instructions.

Furthermore,
We pray that everyone can share the Dharma and Dharma joy
with relatives and friends;
Can share the Dharma and Dharma joy with colleagues in the workplace.
May we come together to purify our minds;
May we come together to beautify our society.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Today, in spite of advances in science and technology,
and an abundance of material resources,
The desire for material goods still overflows everywhere;
Public morality is tainted;
vexations continue to flourish;
crimes increase daily;
We have not been at ease,
We have not been at peace.

Oh great Buddha,
Please bless and support us in understanding cause and effect and karmic retribution clearly;
Please bless and support us in exalting loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity;
Please bless and support us in upholding the Five Precepts and the Ten Wholesome Deeds;
Please bless and support us in practicing the Six Paramitas.

We hope to dedicate the merits of transcribing the sutras to all beings in the dharma realms;
May we all seek and realize supreme Enlightenment.

Oh, Buddha,
we pray for your great blessings and protection:
May our government run smoothly,
and the people enjoy peace;
May our country be prosperous and the people live in happiness;
May we have favorable weather,
society be plentiful and populous and all people in good welfare;
May our economy prosper,
progress and grow steadily;
May our people live and work in peace and contentment,
Enjoy good fortune and all their wishes fulfilled.

Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!
Oh great, compassionate Buddha,
Please accept our sincerest prayer!

Namo Sakyamuni Buddha