Every few months we invite women in the sangha, as well as those new to exploring Buddhism, to come together for a retreat-like practice morning. This is an opportunity to explore a Buddhist text or practice together, ask questions, and share of ourselve.

All women are welcome to join Viriyalila on Saturday May 11th, 9 am - 12:30 pm. On this practice morning we will be meditating together and then exploring the Heart Sutra as chanted in the Triratna Buddhist Community. We will be getting out some art supplies - but not to worry if you don’t see yourself as artistic! Reciting and writing out texts is an age-old practice of devotion and another form of meditation and reflection. Feel free to bring along some of your favorite art supplies, if you have them, materials will be available for use.

Please let us know if you plan to attend! Email us at portsmouth [at] thebuddhistcenter.com or call (603) 617-2285. Offered by donation: $20-40 suggested.

Heart Sutra painting by Cathy Woo www.cathywoo.com

The Heart Sutra

The Bodhisattva of Compassion,
When he meditated deeply,
Saw the emptiness of all five skandhas
And sundered the bonds that caused him
suffering.

Here then,
Form is no other than emptiness,
Emptiness no other than form.
Form is only emptiness,
Emptiness only form.
Feeling, thought, and choice,
Consciousness itself,
Are the same as this.

All things are by nature void
They are not born or destroyed
Nor are they stained or pure
Nor do they wax or wane

So, in emptiness, no form,
No feeling, thought, or choice,
Nor is there consciousness.
No eye, ear, nose,
tongue, body, mind;
No colour, sound, smell, taste, touch,
Or what the mind takes hold of,
Nor even act of sensing.

No ignorance or end of it,
Nor all that comes of ignorance;
No withering, no death,
No end of them.

Nor is there pain, or cause of pain,
Or cease in pain, or noble path
To lead from pain;
Not even wisdom to attain!
Attainment too is emptiness.

So know that the Bodhisattva
Holding to nothing whatever,
But dwelling in Prajna wisdom,
Is freed of delusive hindrance,
Rid of the fear bred by it,
And reaches clearest Nirvana.

All Buddhas of past and present,
Buddhas of future time,
Using this Prajna wisdom,
Come to full and perfect vision.

Hear then the great dharani,
The radiant peerless mantra,
The Prajnaparamita
Whose words allay all pain;
Hear and believe its truth!

Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha