Book Description
Yoga is well known for its power to create a healthy body, but few realize the emotional and spiritual benefits. In The Secret Power of Yoga, world-renowned Yoga expert Nischala Joy Devi interprets Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the principles at the basis of Yoga practice, from a heart-centered, intuitive, feminine perspective, resulting in the first translation intended for women.
Devi’s simple, elegant, and deeply personal interpretations capture the spirit of each sutra, and her suggested practices offer numerous ways to embrace the spirituality of Yoga throughout your day
Customer Reviews:
Great fresh perspective and easy to read!.......2007-07-29
Having been involved in yoga for 20 years I understand the sometimes frustration that all perspectives of the traditional writings are from a male perspective. Devi holds the sacredness of the text while bringing even more heart and compassion to the readings. Thanks! Shannon
Lovely Translation..........2007-07-24
This book is truly a gem. It discusses the Sutras from a heartfelt perspective lacking in most other translations. It will compliment any other reading of the Sutras you have done, and will add a whole other dimension. A must-have for any complete yoga library.
Simply joy & understanding!.......2007-05-13
Have not yet finished reading the whole book - so far it has exceeded my expectations in clarity &feminine inturpretation(can't spell!)of what has been a traditonaly male aspect. Highly recommended!!!
Sutras from a feminine perspective.......2007-04-27
Although most of us view yoga as simply a physical discipline, there is a far more spiritual dimension to it. The entire philosophy of yoga has been contained in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Sutra is Sanskrit for "thread" - the sutras are a collection of terse aphorisms threaded together, laying out the whole of yoga.
Translations of these sutras have been done by males over the years and although there are some wonderful books on the subject (Iyengar's "Light On the Yoga Sutras" for one), I have found these books to be rather dry. Well known yoga instructor, Nischala Joy Devi has written an entirely new and feminine perspective on these ancient proverbs. Devi writes in an almost poetic manner and substitutes words that are 'negative' with a more heart centered counterpart. For example, for Aparigraha which is often translated as non-greed, Devi uses "awareness of abundance". This is a very nurturing viewpoint that makes the sutras "friendlier" and more easier to relate to. Meditations and practices are sprinkled throughout to help intergrate the vibe of the sutras into your heart.
She covers books one and two of the sutras and did a brief scan of book three. I am somewhat hopeful that she is intending on covering books three and four (she didn't mention book four at all) in a further volume, but until then, this is enough food for thought for now.
Book Description
Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. In The Heart of Understanding, Thich Nhat Hanh offers a lucid and engaging interpretation of this core Buddhist text—The Heart Sutra—which is one of the most important sutras, offering subtle and profound teachings on nonduality.
Customer Reviews:
Svaha! I finally got it!.......2007-09-10
This is THE book that made me call myself a Buddhist with confidence.
I'm a Japanese who was born to a Zen Buddhist family.
Although I naturally memorised the Heart Sutra growing up listening to it being recited by monks often, I'd never really understood what it meant.
I've read several commentaries on this sutra (by Japanese monks and nuns)but none of them helped me. Some didn't make sense, others left me pessimistic. Let alone allowing me to adapt the teaching to my real life.
Now, with this Thich Nhat Hanh's little book, I finally got the "A-ha!" moment.
The Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra is not an enigma any more to me because this fantastic teacher explained it in the warmest way possible.
I will recommend this book to anyone who has been questioning the significance of this sutra (or even Buddhism generally).
One more thing...
Thich Nhat Hanh's approach towards Buddhism wouldn't give any atheist a yuk. It's got nothing to do with supernatural power or anything, like some denominations' do.
A Guide to the Heart of Buddhism.......2007-04-15
This book is a Sutra, a thread that ties things togeather for seekers trying to understand reality and their place in it. This book is short in length, but long on insight. It explains, thought by thought, an even shorter, renowned work, the Heart Sutra of Buddha.
The Heart Sutra is but one page long, yet contains the essense of the heart of Buddhism. When first read, the Heart Sutra seems daughting because of its conciseness and unfanilier concepts. It's as if it were sent as a telegram by a sender well aware of the additional cost of each word. To understand the Heart Sutra a guide is needed, and this book is exactly that--a superb guide. It's not a lecture, nor pedantic. It explains in a friendly talk over a cup of tea. It's a map showing you the way home.
It is for the seeker who wants to understand Buddhism's deepest insights. Think of it as a pair of glasses that once used brings into sharp focus the entire universe and its relationships, including yours.
Whether you're new to the Buddha's insights, or an old hand at trying to untie the knots of Buddhism, this book will unravel those knots.
Ask yourself, Is it worth two hours of easy reading to understand Buddha's deepest insights into reality and the removal of your gnawing anxiety? If so, do yourself a favor, read this book! You'll love what you see with your new glasses--the world will seem brighter. You might even say, enlightened.
Excellent commentaries on the Heart Sutra.......2007-03-02
The Heart Sutra is the premiere sutra, or sermon of the Buddha, in all of East Asian Buddhism. People from Tibet to Japan, and now in the West chant the Heart Sutra. Many people study it because it gets to the "heart" of Buddhism (no pun intended). As such, it's very easy to find commentaries on the Heart Sutra, but few can surpass this one.
Thich Nhat Hanh understands the Sutra inside and out. The sutra can be cryptic and times, but Thich Nhat Hanh patiently works his way through each section, allowing the reader to really get the whole picture.
I definitely recommend this book to any Buddhist, new or veteran, as (re-)discovering the Heart Sutra is a great step on the Buddhist path.
incredible perspective.......2007-02-04
This book changed my life. I realize that sounds silly, but it is true. Whenever I don't like the way the world is, which is often, I reread this book. I can't say too much about it without giving it away or miscommunicating something, so please just read it for yourself. It is short and easy, but the message is incredible. If you are not Buddhist, please do not be afraid. Anyone can enjoy Thich Nhat Hanh's message and gain a lot from it. If you like this, I recommend the film Peace is Every Step. Thich Nhat Hanh has an incredible story to tell.
Good things DO come in small packages!.......2006-11-20
My teacher assigned TN Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" for me to read, but I forgot the full title and so picked up this book instead...what a lucky mistake!!!
The concept of emptiness is what has always drawn me to Buddhist philosophy, and this book expounds it beautifully, using simple and concise language not academic or esoteric language and taking up a mere 50 pages or so!
More importantly, it is a very warm and humane explication which concretely links the neutral (and often misunderstood and/or mis-applied) truth of emptiness to the possibly even more essential truth of interconnectedness and interdependency, which TNH calls "interbeing."
This is very helpful in deterring the novice reader from using emptiness as a justification and foundation for nihilism.
Amazon.com
In Essence of the Heart Sutra, the Dalai Lama translates and interprets a central teaching of Buddhism with his trademark precision and straight talk. In the Heart Sutra, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara describes how to train in the perfection of wisdom by seeing through the illusions of all things. The Dalai Lama goes through the text passage by passage, after an extensive introduction to the basics of Buddhism and the Mahayana tradition's emphasis on emptiness. This doesn't take long, as the entire sutra covers all of three pages, but the Dalai Lama shows how understanding emptiness is a key to happiness and liberation from suffering. Although Essence of the Heart Sutra does not differ significantly in overall message from previous offerings such as The Meaning of Life and An Open Heart, in this book the Dalai Lama stays focused on the relevance of the Heart Sutra, and who better to explain it than the man reported to be the present-day incarnation of Avalokiteshvara himself. --Brian Bruya
Book Description
For more than 2,000 years, the Heart Sutra has been of central importance to millions of Buddhists. Whether memorized, chanted, or studied, this sacred text is often looked to for inspiration. Based on talks the Dalai Lama gave in the spring of 2001, Essence of the Heart Sutra is a masterful translation of the Dalai Lama's teachings and reflections on the Heart Sutra, teachings that provide fresh insights on a mainstay of Buddhist practice. In addition to providing the words of the Dalai Lama, this book also brings together an overview of Buddhism, background material, and complete commentaries to elucidate the teachings and place them in their proper context. These bonus materials make Essence of the Heart Sutra a book that can be valued by beginners as well as one that provides seasoned Buddhists with many delightful new facts and ideas. A deeply profound and powerful book, Essence of the Heart Sutra provides precious thoughts on how to appreciate life's endeavor.
Customer Reviews:
Get to the heart of Buddhism.......2007-03-26
This book is wonderful. The Dali Lama may be the greatest person currently with us who can expound great Buddhist truths so that we can all understand. This book will give you a powerful and deep perspective on the brief writing of the heart sutra and on Buddhism as a whole. The biggest key learning for me was to finally understand the saying the form is emptiness and emptiness is form. This book explained that all things are empty of non conditional existence. All things are impermanent and continuously change. This includes what we perceive to be ourselves. All things are dependant on other things for there existence, they have no reality in and of themselves.
The last chapter explains the way of the Bodhisattva (saint) which is to show loving-kindness to all beings by cultivating an image of everyone being your mother or Buddha or someone very close to you. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Buddha and Jesus are in complete agreement.
Wonderful introduction to Buddhist thought.......2007-02-23
The Dalai Lama does an excellent job of explaining the place of the Heart Sutra within Buddhist thought and of explicating the Sutra itself. Even the rather challenging concept of shunyata (emptiness, voidness of inherent existence) is rendered straightforwardly and clearly. Not just a good commentary on the Heart Sutra, but also a good book to start with if you want to know more about Buddhism.
I might suggest reading this book after, say, Chogyam Trungpa's Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism. If you find this book useful and want to know more about shunyata in particulary (VERY important in Mahayana Buddhism), I would suggest going on to Mu Soeng's commentary on the Diamond Sutra (in spite of a few minor flaws) and then to Jay Garfield's translation of Nagarjuna's Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way.
This book is a keeper.
A Classic.......2007-02-23
The best exposition of the Heart Sutra anywhere. It pays to understand the foundation and seed from which something so important and profound grows. The Dalai Lama tackles the profundity in a clear, thorough and easy to understand fashion. Until reading this book I thought I understood. I now realize that my grasp was seriously flawed. I am grateful to the author and all who participated in making this book available to the reading public.
The Dalai Lama on the Heart Sutra.......2005-09-20
In its enigmatic 25 lines, the Heart Sutra is one of the most difficult of Buddhist Scriptures but also one of the most rewarding. It is a basic text of Mahayana Buddhism and recited daily in monasteries and by practicing Buddhists throughout the world.
There are many commentaries, ancient and modern, on this text, but I found this recent book by the Dalai Lama, "Essence of the Heart Sutra" an outstanding place for the beginner to start. The Dalai Lama's book also will reward study by those having great prior familarity with the text. The book is based on a series of lectures that the Dalai Lama gave at the Land of Medicine Buddhist center in California and at the Three Rivers Dharma in Pittsburg.
This work is much more than a commentary on the Heart Sutra. It is equally valuable as an introduction to Buddhism and as a compendium of the teachings of the Dalai Lama. It is instructive to see how the Dalai Lama weaves his broad material together into a coherent whole. Thus, in the first part of the book, the Dalai Lama offers broad-based comments on the spiritual dimension of life, of the relationship between Buddhism and other religions, and of the fundamentals of Buddhist teachings. It is inspiring to hear words of ecumenicism, tolerance, and willingness to learn from others. It is also important to read the Dalai Lama's exposition of the basic Buddhist teaching of Dependent Origination, which is, in later sections of the book, tied masterfully to the interpretation of the Heart Sutra.
The second part of the book offers a translation and commentary on the Heart Sutra. Consistent with his opening chapters, the Dalai Lama stresses the continuity between this Mahayana text and its earlier predecessors in Theravada Buddhism. (Many other commentaries emphasize how the Heart Sutra departs from and differs from its predecessors.) In addition, in a few brief pages the Dalai Lama offers great insight into the fundamental teaching of emptiness --- that reality is "empty of intrinsic existence." He points out clearly that the Sutra does not teach that nothing exists -- a nihilistic doctrine. Instead, the Dalai Lama relates the teaching of the Sutra to the doctrine of Dependent Origination -- stressing the lack of independent existence, substantiality, and ego. He discusses different ways in which various Buddhist schools interpret the doctrine of emptiness -- including the "mind-only" school and two variants of the "middle-way" school. This material is difficult but important and not stressed in various other commentaries that I have read.
The final part of the Dalai' Lama's study discusses the Bodhisattva path of Mahayana Buddhism -- the decision to dedicate oneself to the welfare of others -- and relates it to the text of the Heart Sutra. There are teachings and practices here on learning to practice lovingkindness, also set forth in other writings of the Dalai Lama, but informed here by the discussion of emptiness and nonclinging in the Heart Sutra. This discussion, and the short epilogue, tie together the ecumenical material in the book with the elucidation and analysis of the Heart Sutra.
This book presents difficult, profound teachings in an accessible readable way. It is ideal for the beginning student or for those who want to explore the Heart Sutra to see what it might offer. It also presents an exposition of this text by the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. For those who want to read further and compare and contrast other approaches to this inexhaustible text, I recommend Red Pine's study "The Heart Sutra" and Donald Lopez' "Elaborations of Emptiness", a detailed and difficult analysis of the Heart Sutra in light of its earliest Indian and Tibetan commentaries.
Robin Friedman
Fantastic Commentary on This Sutra and More.......2004-04-16
Hmmm, a remarkable book by a remarkable man on a remarkable sutra! The Heart Sutra is the essence of the Perfection of Wisdom class of sutras, which represent the "Second Turning of the Wheel of Dharma". That is to say, the second main set of teachings by the Buddha. The First Turning was on the Four Noble Truths. The Third Turning was on Buddha Nature. But the Second Turning was on the nature of reality, emptiness -- in other words, the important stuff!
This is a hard literature, crystalized in the Heart Sutra, which is only a few pages but very dense (versions of it are available on-line). Here the Dalai Lama provides an excellent commentary on this difficult text by placing it within its entire Buddhist context. The result is that one is led step by step to the deepest understanding of this sutra, which is really the most profound element of the Buddha's teaching. Remarkably, then, this book can be grasped by the beginning student as well as much more experienced students. A crucial element in Buddhism is familiarization: going back over something again and again until it is understood very deeply, and then realized personally through meditation. So such approaches, that begin from the basics and move up to very profound topics, should not be seen as needless repetition, but as opportunities to really internalize the teachings.
The style of His Holiness's language is always conversational, easy to read, and humorous. This is no exception. The book is also beautiful and a pleasure to read. Most important, it is a crucial teaching that can help transform our lives.
Book Description
Stamped with his signature depth of vision, lucidity, and clarity, Thich Nhat Hanh's insights based on the wisdom of the Lotus Sutra invoke a wide range of contemporary topics and concerns. He demonstrates the practical and direct applicability of Buddhist teachings to today's issues, from the Palestinian-Israeli tragedy to the threat of terrorism and the degradation of our environment.
Opening the Heart of the Cosmos shines sixty years of study and practice upon one of the crowning scriptures of the path of the Buddha. It is destined to be known as one of the most significant writings by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Customer Reviews:
A must read companion to the Lotus Sutra.......2007-08-31
If you really want to read and understand the Lotus Sutra on a deeper level I highly recommend this commentary of Thay's(Thich Nhat Hanh). For the actual Sutra this is a good translation: The Lotus Sutra
Excellent, easy to read commentary on important sutra.......2004-03-16
In this book, Nhat Hanh turns his eye towards the Lotus Sutra, one of the most important sutras for Mahayana Buddhists. Despite its importance, the Lotus Sutra is very difficult to read straight-out, although good translations exist (see Hurvitz and the recent edition "The Threefold Lotus Sutra" put out by Kosei). Just diving into a translation may leave you feeling a bit confused, and some early commentaries are just as inaccessible to beginners.
Hence the value of this book. Placing the Lotus sutra in its historical context (around the time when Mahayana Buddhism was just emerging, and had to distinguish itself from non-Mahayana schools, which it terms "Hinayana" or "Lesser Vehicle"), Nhat Hanh illuminates why this sutra is so important and revelational. In short, this is the sutra in which it was firmly proclaimed that _everyone_ could become a fully enlightened buddha.
Previously, the primary goal of early Buddhism had been to become a saint ("arhat"), liberated from samsara, with the joy of nirvana, but not an actual buddha oneself. Moreover, this path was restricted to renunciant monks, and not open to everyone. In this sutra, the Buddha proclaims that he taught this as a skillful means, because if he had said right away that people could attain buddhahood, no one would believe it. Now, however, the time being right, and people having understood the basics of the Four Noble Truths, etc., he could give this profound teaching. All the teachings and vehicles (Sravakayana, Pratyekabuddhayana, Bodhisattvayana, etc.) point to the one single vehicle: the buddhayana, the path to full buddhahood for all sentinent beings.
Because the language of the sutra itself is quite difficult and full of very elaborate imagery that can confuse or mystify the reader, the commentary provided in this book by Nhat Hanh is essential to clarifying the points and getting at the essence of what the sutra is saying. He explains how one can read the sutra along two dimensions -- the historical dimension, and the ultimate dimension. If one does not read it in such a way, and takes everything as literal (historical), it will result in a whole lot of confusion.
So, this book is for students of Buddhism who are interested in reading some actual sutras, but who are not so intellectually hard-core that they feel they are "above" reading this commetnary by a monk who seems, on the surface, very simple and non-academic. (Actually, he is a great scholar himself -- see "The Heart of the Buddha's Understanding" for the best introduction to Mahayana Buddhism around). Note that this book does _not_ contain the actual text of the Lotus Sutra, which is very long. Find one of the translations (noted above) and read it along with this commentary, and you will find it very beneficial, I am sure!
Enjoy.
Hanh provides commentary on a number of current issues.......2004-03-06
In Opening The Heart Of The Cosmos: Insights On The Lotus Sutra, Vietnamese Buddhist monk, poet, teacher, writer, peace and human rights activist Thich Nhat Hanh draws upon his more than 30 years of study and experience to focus upon one of the most important of the sutras and reveal how it can be of invaluable service in transforming ourselves and the world around us. By way of illustration, Hanh provides commentary on a number of current issues and enduring world problems ranging from the Palestinian-Israeli impasse, to the threats posed by international terrorism, to the continuing degradation of our planetary environment. Opening The Heart Of The Cosmos is a superbly articulated and presented contribution to the growing body of Buddhist literature for western readers.
Book Description
The short text of The Heart Sutra is Buddhism in a nutshell. It has had the most profound and wide-reaching influence of any text in Buddhism. Its full title, Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra, "The Sutra of the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom," explains that this sutra contains the essence of the Buddha's teaching, the core of perfect enlightenment. It is the source of the famous and puzzling declaration, "form is emptiness, emptiness is form." For this new translation into English, Red Pine, award-winning translator of Chinese poetry and religious texts, has utilized various Sanskrit and Chinese versions, refining the teachings of dozens of ancient teachers together with his own commentary to offer a profound word-for-word explication. The result is a wise book of deep teaching destined to become the standard edition of this timeless statement of Mahayana truth.
Customer Reviews:
Just including my full recommendation.......2007-03-25
The detail and focus of this work is considerable. The Heart Sutra is only 2 pages, but this book goes on for 208 pages. Red Pine goes through the Sutra, word for word at times, helping to explain the nuances, the rich connotations of the words. Without all of this detail, it is difficult to understand completely the approach used. Because of this work, I went out and got Red Pine's The Diamond Sutra: The Perfection of Wisdom.
Prajnaparamita.......2007-03-21
Red Pine's exposition of the Heart Sutra is an open invitation to dive deep into the mysteries of our very Being; right into the Heart of Emptiness. Prajnaparamita indeed; the wisdom before knowing, beyond words and concepts, beyond the limits of 'self'. Right now as it is! Yes!!
The Essence of the Teaching.......2007-02-26
Red Pine is a translator, historian, scholar and Zen practitioner. His clear writing demonstrates that he knows his own mind....the essence of the sutra's teaching. Besides, he has a great sense of humor.
Quick and to the point.......2006-10-25
The Heart Sutra is quick and to the point. It sounds to me as if it was a direct transmission of knowledge from one master to another passed on for a few thousand years. Although it is tough to understand (still trying to figure it out), and should be read a few times, I love the Heart Sutra!
A Thorough and Enlightening Exegesis of the Heart Sutra.......2006-05-09
In The Heart Sutra: The Womb of Buddhas, Pine presents a very thorough, rigorous, and enlightening exegesis of the Heart Sutra. First, he introduces his own translation of the Heart Sutra, which is, by far, the best English translation available, which is easy and helpful to commit to memory. Then, he provides a very informative historical background of the Heart Sutra, where he introduces the idea that the Heart Sutra is a rejection of the Sarvastivadin Abhidharma, an idea he returns to throughout the book, so much so, that it seems to be his main thesis. Next, he goes through the four parts of the Heart Sutra line by line, where he also details the Sarvastivadin concepts of skandhas, abodes, elements, causal connections, the Chain of Dependent Origination, the Four Truths, and much more. After providing an exegesis of each line, each section is punctuated by quotes from other various commentaries. Finally, there is a helpful index of names, terms, and texts.
This book is a good read for philosophers (especially existentialists), psychologists (especially those interested in meta-cognition), historians, and, of course, Buddhists or anyone interested in Buddhism. This book is a great introduction to Buddhism, with more substance than any "for dummies" book could offer, but the depth of this book will also appeal to Buddhist scholars. The reading can be abstract-sometimes too abstract. There are few concrete examples, so the reader needs to be comfortable with abstract concepts. Pine makes a good faith effort at citing sources, which is helpful for further research. I wish he included more content about the concept of dharma matrixes, which Pine only mentions in passing.
After reading this book, the reader will have gained, first, a deeper appreciation overall for the Heart Sutra, and second, a fresh perspective and a new way of looking at things, perhaps viewing the world "in the light of prajnaparamita" and even expanding one's worldview.
Customer Reviews:
Heart & Diamond reviewed.......2002-03-23
I am familiar with Edward Conze's translations and comments on the Diamond and Heart Sutras primarily through the 1958 edition of this work. First of all, these are scholarly translations and commentaries. The commentaries are logical and precise, as they need to be to get at the heart of the teaching, in particular, of the Heart Sutra. Conze states, correctly, that to understand the Heart Sutra one has to understand something about Abhidharma concepts. The Abhidharma texts represent early schools of thought in India regarding consciousness and read like a Sears catalog of psychological elements put into a moral context and including conditioned and unconditioned dharmas. The Heart Sutra is in part a response to Abhidharma; one which goes beyond it. Abhidharma is considered the "dry bones" of Zen for good reason. Nevertheless, there are equally good reasons why Shunryu Suzuki told his students at San Francisco Zen Center to study with Conze (advice which was followed). The Heart Sutra is such a pure and intense condensation of wisdom that the effort to understand it is repaid tenfold by even small glimpses of its meaning. It is paradoxical that the teaching of "form is emptiness, emptiness is form,"etc., is amenable to a logical approach, yet Conze is very effective at demonstrating that, at least for those of us who have not attained wisdom-that-goes-beyond (prajna), this is precisely the path to take. His analysis of the Sanskrit in the context of Buddhist logic unlocks a very fruitful path for following the meaning of the Heart Sutra. An openminded approach to Conze's translation and commentaries, applied with some determination and perseverance, is well worth the effort, both with the Diamond and the Heart Sutras, though perhaps more so with the latter. What hits us in the face at first as flatly contradictory reveals itself to be something more than we can imagine. Shunryu Suzuki told us that the "No" in the Heart Sutra is far more positive than any "Yes" could ever be. I haven't seen another approach to the Heart Sutra in print that equals Edward Conze's.
a review is not a review, therefore it is called a review.......2001-10-12
Manual of Zen Buddhism has a better translation of both these Sutras. I am also very
appreciative of the Shambhala translations by Price and Mou-lam that doesn't have the
Heart Sutra but has a translation of the Platform Sutra coupled with the Diamond Sutra.
The problem I have with this translation is that after very much enjoying the
Price/Mou-lam translation I thought it might be worth while to have a translation of the
Heart and Diamond in one volume. I had seen this translation so decided to look into it
and felt immediately uncomfortable by the decision to venerate the Buddha. The Buddha
of course was an average wealthy householder who became enlightened. In other words,
he was a somewhat regular human being. In this translation he is usually translated as "The
Lord." In both the Suzuki and Price/Mou-lam translations he is usually referred to as "The
Buddha" or "The World-Honored One" or the "Tathagata" (thus-come, or thus-gone).
Also, this is the only one of the three translations that has someone else, as a servant,
arrange the Buddha's seat after he returns from begging for his meal. A small point, but it
is very touching to think of the Buddha as being humble. This is just the beginning of my
problems with this translation. For instance, the Diamond Sutra is relatively short, so why
not have the complete Sutra and then have the Sutra with commentary like Sheng-yen
does with the translation of the Sutra of Complete Enlightenment. All in all a terrible job.
Wisdom gone, gone beyond........2001-06-12
The Prajanparamita ("Perfection of Wisdom") consists of thirty-eight books composed between 100 B.C. and A.D. 600, including the Diamond and Heart Sutras, "two of the holiest of the holy" (p. xxviii) Buddhist scriptures. German translator Edward Conze first introduced these sutras to the English-speaking world in 1958. The Diamond and Heart Sutras "lead us to the very summit of existence," he writes. "Up there the air is rather rarified, and we are bound to feel somewhat dizzy at times" (p. 38). And like a raft allowing us to cross a great stretch of water, they carry us to a place of "No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind; No forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touchables, or objects of mind" (p. 97).
The Diamond Sutra is said to cut "like a thunderbolt" (p. xxix), and the Heart Sutra is the "heart or essence of the Perfection of Wisdom" (p. xxi). They look deeply into "experience beyond the rigidity of concept," recognizing "the interdependence of all beings" (p. xix)and, at times, they will cause your head to reel as your mind does somersaults! Although Conze comments on these sutras phrase by phrase, he acknowledges his commentary is not intended to convey "the spiritual experience which a Sutra describes. These only reveal themselves to persistent meditation. A commentary must be content to explain words used" (p. 7). The realization of these teachings results in compassion (p. xix).
In her excellent Preface to this new edition of Conze's translation, Judith Simmer-Brown notes that "the wisdom of the Prajnaparamita sutras is mind expanding" (p. xv). I am not competent to comment on Conze's translation, and I do not presume to understand these sutras. However, I recommend this book for anyone interested in exploring the Buddhist concepts of emptiness and the absolute nature of reality, or for anyone interested in the pursuit of wisdom--"with the concern for the meaning of life, with its search for ends, purposes and values worthy of being pursued, with its desire to penetrate beyond the appearance of things to their true reality" (p. xxviiii).
G. Merritt
An insightful read.......2001-05-23
Two of the most well-known of Buddha's Sutras, the "Diamond Sutra" and "the Heart Sutra", are explained clearly and succintly in this concise volumne. Edward Conze translates directly from the original Sanskrit with care and insight, skillfully combining deeply obtuse concepts with a gentle, sensitive rye sense of humor. The piercing brevity of "The Heart Sutra" is an astonishingly remarkable 'tool' for helping us to change our behavior. It affords an opportunity for those seeking to return to their origin, to see and to understand their True Heart which is unsurpasssable, Perfected Wisdom.
Book Description
The Heart of the Prajaparamita Sutra is regarded as the essence of Buddhist teaching. It is recited daily in Mahayana temples and practice centers throughout the world. The Heart of Understandingoffers a recording of Thich Nhat Hanh's lecture on the Heart Sutra at the Green Gulch Zen Center in Muir Beach, California, on April 19, 1987.
Customer Reviews:
Calm and powerful at the same time.......2007-01-10
If you have not had the pleasure of listening to Thich Nhat Hanh--start with this CD. Its lessons are so simple and powerful.. His voice calming and energizing. Be prepared for his quiet, soothing tone---and enjoy his message.
Average customer rating:
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Introduction To The Heart Sutra
Henry Chang
Manufacturer: Taos Culture Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
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Sutras
| Buddhism
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General
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ASIN: 0970078307 |
Book Description
The Heart Sutra¡¨ is the shortest yet unquestionably the most popular sutra in Buddhism. Its terse declaration and potent expression of universal truths have fascinated countless minds throughout ages and across Asian territories. It is said that no wisdom taught by Buddha is beyond the scope of the sutra despite of its radical brevity because all the wisdoms that Buddha preached centers around finding our pure, uncontaminated heart. Due to its limited wording, however, the sutra appears cryptic and elusive even for most Buddhists.
Based on Master Chang¡¦s popular lecture series, Introduction To The Heart Sutra¡¨ categorizes and explains, in laymen terms and life examples, fundamental notions of Buddhism, such as emptiness, unity of emptiness and substance, karma, attachment of mind, causalities, consciousness, etc. In addition, throughout the book, Master Chang transcended the boundaries of religious narrow-mindedness and compared Buddhism wisdoms with other major philosophies, religions, and modern scientific discoveries from both East and West to better illustrate the concepts in the Sutra, and in the meantime illustrate the universality of truths and commonalities of various thoughts. With Buddha¡¦s wisdoms neatly stringed together by Master Chang, this pithy book is an essential guide for readers yearning to attain basic to intermediate level of understanding on Buddhism wisdom and practices, and tap into the internal and eternal source of happiness.
Product Description
Part of the Traditional Chinese Culture series, this book is an illustrated adaptation of one of the Buddhist sutras. Collected and popularized by the immensely popular Chinese illustrator Tsai Chih Chung, the book includes more than 60 verses of the sutra for the reader of today, bringing to life the spirit and philosophy of Buddhism through cartoon panels with a text that is irreverently humorous yet replete with wisdom. It is a great and easy tool to learn Chinese classics.
Book Description
Hakuin Zenji (1689-1769) was one of the most important of all Japanese Zen masters. His commentary on the Heart Sutra is a Zen classic that reflects his dynamic teaching style, with its balance of scathing wit and poetic illumination of the text. Hakuin's sarcasm, irony, and invective are ultimately guided by a compassion that seeks to dislodge students' false assumptions and free them to realize the profound meaning of the Heart Sutra for themselves. The text is illustrated with Hakuin's own calligraphy and brush drawings.
Customer Reviews:
Clean to the Bone.......2006-08-24
This is the second-most important treatment of the Heart Sutra I've ever encountered. Edward Conze's has to be first; even this translation depends somewhat on Conze's almost perfect translation. As a Sanskrit Scholar and occasional Buddhist, I've contemplated this Sutra for years, and have garnered insights from several translations, most notably those of Conze, this one, and Red Pine's. I'd recommend getting all three. I'd also recommend reading this one LAST. It is a sharp razor that slashes through the intellect, offends the senses and sensibilities, and reveals the pure, impersonal core of this most sacred work in a manner unlike that of any other treatment.
If you do not work out your own understanding, questions, reflections first, this text will either offend or amuse, and thus be wasted. It is no museum piece or comedy act; as another reviewer has said, Hakuin is the Real Deal when it comes to Zen, and treated with respect - and even fear - he will deliver the Heart of this Sutra directly into your own heart.
Zen Master Hakuin's commentary on the Heart Sutra.......2001-11-30
The page-long Heart Sutra is one of the most popular Buddhist texts and is chanted every day in Zen monasteries. This small book is a commentary on the Heart Sutra by the Japanese Rinzai Zen master Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1768). Hakuin goes through the Heart Sutra a word or phrase or line at a time, commenting usually with a paragraph of prose followed by a verse. Translator Norman Waddell adds helpful notes about the Buddhist doctrines, Chinese folktales, and so forth, that Hakuin refers to. And the book is illustrated with Hakuin's own calligraphy and paintings.
Hakuin writes in the incisive, poetic, paradoxical style that I think of as "Zen-speak" when it gets imitated poorly, but this is the real thing. Hakuin's writing is lively, funny, often sarcastic or scatalogical.
Here are a couple of bits I especially liked, to give you a sense of Hakuin's style: Commenting on the line "Form is no other than emptiness, emptiness no other than form," Hakuin says, "A nice hot kettle of stew. He ruins it by dropping a couple of rat turds in. It's no good pushing delicacies at a man with a full belly. Striking aside waves to look for water when the waves _are_ water." Commenting on the phrase "is delivered from all distress and suffering," Hakuin offers this verse:
The ogre outside shoves the door,
The ogre inside holds it fast.
Dripping sweat from head to tail
Battling for their very lives,
They keep it up throughout the night
Until at last when the dawn appears
Their laughter fills the early light--
They were friends from the first.
If you'd prefer a commentary in a more ordinary, explanatory style, try Albert Low's "Zen and the Sutras," which includes a chapter on the Heart Sutra, or Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of Understanding." If you're looking for a scholarly commentary, try Donald Lopez's "The Heart Sutra Explained."
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