Sixth Patriarch's Platform Sutra (2-1)

六祖壇經英譯

I will begin posting our translations of the Platform Sutra by the great Chinese Chan master Huineng. Since Chapter One is mostly autobiographical, we started with Chapter Two, straight to the teaching of prajna. The original text is very beautiful, poetic, and profound while using simple languages befitting of his humble origins. For our first effort we only try to make it accurate. If you can suggest more poetic refinements of the translation, let us know. The translation is going quite slowly so they will appear little by little. The Chinese text is at the end. I've also highlighted some famous phrases from the sutra.
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Platform Sutra by the Sixth Patriarch Huineng
Chapter Two: On Prajna

On the following day, upon Governor Wei’s request, the Master took his seat and addressed the assembly, “Let us purify our thoughts and mindfully recite Maha-prajna-paramita.”

Then he said:

Learned audience, bodhi prajna wisdom is inherent in all people of the world. Only because their minds are deluded, they fail to realize it themselves. Therefore, they need the guidance of great masters to see their true nature. Know that Buddha nature is no different in the wise and the ignorant. What separates them is whether one is enlightened or deluded. I will now teach the maha-prajna-paramita so that each of you may attain wisdom.

Listen attentively! I will explain it to you.

Learned audience, people speak of prajna all day, yet they do not recognize the prajna inherent in their nature. Just as talking about food cannot appease hunger, talking about emptiness for countless kalpas will not reveal their original nature; ultimately it is of no benefit.

Learned audience, maha-prajna-paramita is a Sanskrit term meaning “the great wisdom leading to the other shore.” It must be practiced from the mind and not merely spoken of. Prajna, only spoken of but not practiced, is like an illusion, a mirage, a dewdrop, or lightning. By doing both, our speech and mind are in mutual accord. Our original nature is Buddha; apart from this nature there is no other Buddha.

六祖大師法寶壇經
般若品第二

次日，韋使君請益。師陞坐，告大眾曰：『總淨心念摩訶般若波羅
蜜多。』復云：『善知識，菩提般若之智，世人本自有之，只緣心迷，
不能自悟，須假大善知識，示導見性。當知愚人智人，佛性本無差別，
只緣迷悟不同，所以有愚有智。吾今為說『摩訶般若波羅蜜』法，使汝
等各得智慧。志心諦聽，吾為汝說──

善知識，世人終日口念般若，不識自性般若；猶如說食不飽，口但說
空，萬劫不得見性，終無有益。善知識，『摩訶般若波羅蜜』是梵語，
此言大智慧到彼岸。此須心行，不在口念。口念心不行，如幻如化，如
露如電。口念心行，則心口相應。本性是佛，離性無別佛。