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by Peter Lunde Johnson (Author)
The Heart Sūtra is the most often recited, copied and interpreted scripture in the Buddhist canon, revered for its eloquence, its conciseness, its ability to encapsulate the essence of Buddhist teachings in the fewest words and its efficacy in facilitating the arousal of introspective meditation with a transcendental discernment of life's purpose. This book is an in-depth exploration of this scripture that includes English translations of: * All classical Chinese versions of the sūtra as well as Sanskrit and Tibetan versions * Two of its renowned commentaries: 1. A Brief Commentary Explaining The Heart Sūtra By Fǎzang of the Chinese Garland (Hu y n) Sūtra School 2. A Secret Key to The Heart Sūtra by Kūkai of the Japanese Mantra (Shingon) School * Four classic essays on the seamless blending of the transcendental nature of life's purpose found in the dialectical principle ('emptiness') and the mutually dependent conditions that arise from the phenomena of sentient existence ('form') from D sh n and Fǎzang of the Chinese Garland (Hu y n) Sūtra School * Other supplemental translations relevant to the subject Also included is: * An introduction that: 1. Analyzes its passages in ten parts to show how it serves as an ever deeper introspective meditation on the mind and the transcendental nature of its purpose 2. Explains the terms and concepts found in these different passages of the sūtra 3. Provides some history on its traditional East Asian versions and interpreters * Comprehensive footnotes that offer a background on Buddhist concepts and history relevant to the subject. * Pronunciation guides for reciting the sūtra in Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Tibetan.
