Heart Sutra

The Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra or Heart Sutra (Sanskrit: Prajñā Pāramitā Hridaya Sūtra) is a well known Mahāyāna Buddhist scripture. Notable for its concision and clarity, the Heart Sutra is considered to represent the core teachings of the much longer Perfection of Wisdom sutras, hence its name. The study of the Heart Sutra is particularly emphasized in the Zen sects, and it is frequently chanted during ceremonies in China, Japan, and Korea.

Some scholars believe that the Heart Sutra was originally composed in China and only later translated into Sanskrit.

The Heart Sutra has an associated mantra or dharani:

Gate gate
Pāragate
Pārasamgate
Bodhi svāhā

(guh-tay guh-tay pah-ra-gah-tay pah-ra-sahm-gah-tay bo-dee swah-hah)