The heart of understanding : commentaries on the Prajñaparamita Heart Sutra

Comprised of only 632 Chinese characters, the Heart Sutra is Buddhism in a nutshell. Despite its brevity, this powerful work covers more of the Buddha’s teachings than any other scripture, and its influence is more profound and wide-reaching than any other text in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh’s translation and commentary is regarded as the most simple, clear, concise, and understandable available. He describes the sutra as 'a precious gift to us, the gift of fearlessness, offering subtle and profound teachings on non-duality and the letting go of all preconceived notions, opinions, and attachments, thereby becoming open to all the wonders of our life. This completely revised edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first publication of a modern classic. The heart of the Prajñaparamita Sutra is regarded as the essence of Buddhist teaching, offering subtle and profound teachings on non-duality and the letting go of all preconceived notions, opinions, and attachments, and so becoming open to all the wonders of our life. The Heart Sutra is recited daily in Mahayana temples and practice centers throughout the world. Thich Nhat Hanh's translation and commentary are the fruit of the author's more than sixty years of monastic study and practice. He describes the sutra as “a precious gift to us, the gift of fearlessness.” Based on a historic lecture at the Green Gulch Zen Center, Muir Beach, California on April 19, 1987, this is one of the most simple, clear, concise, and understandable commentaries on this very important Buddhist sutra. In the Heart Sutra, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara describes how to train in the perfection of wisdom by seeing through the illusory nature of all things. The Heart Sutra is Buddhism in a nutshell, containing only 632 characters in the traditional Chinese translation. Despite its brevity, it covers more of the Buddha's teachings than any other scripture and has had the most profound and wide-reaching influence of any text in Buddhism. This revised edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the initial release and features a new introduction by Peter Levitt and a new afterword by Thich Nhat Hanh. Edited by poet and Zen teacher Peter Levitt, author of Fingerpainting on the Moon. Comprised of only 632 Chinese characters, the Heart Sutra is Buddhism in a nutshell. Despite its brevity, this powerful work covers more of the Buddha's teachings than any other scripture, and its influence is more profound and wide-reaching than any other text in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh's translation and commentary is regarded as the most simple, clear, concise, and understandable available. He describes the sutra as ?a precious gift to us, the gift of fearlessness," offering subtle and profound teachings on non-duality and the letting go of all preconceived notions, opinions, and attachments, thereby becoming open to all the wonders of our life. This completely revised edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first publication of a modern classic. Religion,Buddhism,General,Tripiṭaka,Sacred Writings This is an older look at the Heart Sutra, but can be relevant today with all the local, national and international challenges we are confronted with. Unlike many 'religions', Buddhism, perhaps more a philosophy, encourages one to review how we see the world and our relationship to it; more like a psychological guide for how we can have a more grounded life. This writing and the Heart Sutra specifically, I found to be very helpful. Thich Nhat Hanh was written a new translation of the Sutra, but I find this older commentary easier of relate to, cleaner, more applicable to my daily processing of what is happening in the world and in my life. May you be well, know peace and enjoy reading. 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. The Bodhisattva Avalokita, while moving in the deep course of Perfect Understanding, shed light on the five skandhas and found them equally empty. Thich Nhat Hanh ; Edited By Peter Levitt. Includes Text Of The Prajñaparamita Heart Sutra In English.