The phrase "etc until" is used in the Heart Sutra because the
 

(7) The Abhidhamma defines a list of 18 elements (dhatu), of which the eye-element is first and mind-consciousness-element is last. The phrase "etc until" is used in the Heart Sutra because the list is assumed to be familiar to the reader (this point is easily missed by Western Buddhists - later writings such as the Prajnaparamita and Zen are intended to build on the foundations of earlier texts, not replace them).

Re: The phrase "etc until" is used in the Heart Sutra because the
 

Prajna


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Prajna (Sanskrit, "wisdom, consciousness"), in Hinduism, means the competence of atman to realize itself for what it is, and so to abide in this state as in a dreamless sleep.

In Buddhism, (Pali, panna; Japanese, hannya) is the third heading of the three into which the eightfold path is divided; such as, the right thought and the right view constitutes wisdom. Although Mahayana initially criticized the placement of panna at the apex, and balanced it with karma and compassion, prajna became central to Mahayana as the awareness which cannot be achieved by propositions, arguments, or concepts. Supremely, it is the direct awareness of sunyata, emptiness of self, in the instance of all appearance. A.G.H.



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Source:

Bowker, John, The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, New York, Oxford University Press, 1997, p. 759

Re: The phrase "etc until" is used in the Heart Sutra because the
 

The Mantra Which Calms All Suffering
http://www.theartofcalligraphy.com/i...a-gategate.jpg
In transcendent knowledge the mantra is proclaimed:

GATE GATE PARAGATE PARASAMGATE BODHI SVAHA