The Heart Sutra

A full translation of the heart sutra. Often English translations have only the instructive part, which makes it seem out of context and is often confusing. In order to optimize understanding one should study the full version.

I thank Anne Langmeade for her beautiful Thangkas which I used in this presentation.

Lotsawa Bhikshu Rinchen De translated this text into Tibetan with the Indian pandita Vimalamitra. It was edited by the great editor-lotsawas Gelong Namkha and others. This Tibetan text was copied from the fresco in Gegye Chemaling at the glorious Samye vihara. It has been translated into English by the Nalanda Translation Committee, with reference to several Sanskrit editions.

Info:
Two thousand five hundred years ago, the Buddha was able to realise "emptiness" (s. sunyata). By doing so he freed himself from unsatisfactoriness (s. dukkha). From the standpoint of enlightenment, sunyata is the reality of all worldly existences (s. dharma). It is the realisation of Bodhi — Prajna. From the standpoint of liberation, sunyata is the skilful means that disentangle oneself from defilement and unsatisfactoriness. The realisation of sunyata leads one to no attachment and clinging. It is the skilful means towards enlightenment and also the fruit of enlightenment.

There are two ways for us to understand this concept of sunyata in the Mahayana context. One way is to try to understand the explanation about its true nature. The other way is the realisation through practice. What we are going to discuss now is about its true nature.

Mahayana teachings have always considered that the understanding of sunyata is an attainment which is extremely difficult and extraordinarily profound.

For example, in the Prajna Sutra it says "That which is profound, has sunyata and non-attachment as its significance. No form nor deeds, no rising nor falling, are its implications."

Again in the Dvadasanikaya Sastra (composed by Nagarjuna, translated to Chinese by Kumarajiva A.D. 408) it says: "The greatest wisdom is the so-called sunyata."

This sunyata, no creation, calmness and extinction (s. nirvana) is of a profound significance in the Mahayana teachings. Why do we see it as the most profound teaching? This is because there is no worldly knowledge, be it general studies, science or philosophy, that can lead to the attainment of the state of sunyata. The only path to its realisation is via the supreme wisdom of an impassionate and discriminating mind. It is beyond the common worldly understanding.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Heart
• Sutra
• buddhism
• buddha
• dharma
• hydraya
• sutram
• diamond
• sutra
• vajra
• amrita
• deva
• tibetan
• indian
• and
• chinese
• philosophy

[mukundamoon]

I've been chanting the Zen Buddhist version of this for years, which has exactly all the same content, but this version feels even more complete with the background of it included. Very beautiful, thanks for sharing..

[yadsik]

You mean it includes the beginning and end shown here? Usually it is just the main chunk, that's the most popular version in Chinese and Japanese.

[Guardian016]

I think China can be a very respectable and influential country if they find a way to attract the world with soft power like this instead of being intimidating with military forces.

[yadsik]

:-)

[elisabright]

Good job! :)

[yadsik]

Thank you Elisa.

[iscream22]

The people of China are good wonderful people and not all the people in the government there are bad but yes i agree the military can be quite oppressive there and the persucution of Falun Gong practitioners is getting out of control. I only hope they will be able to resolve things sometime soon.

By the way Yadsik, I LOVE your videos, i subscribed today!

[mikkiwon]

Just BEAUTIFUL, thank you. M

[williema0218]

@videogaga999 Chi-Yu,A very famous Taiwan Singer.

[drbadself]

if you look towards the bottom of this page you'll see a discussion of the Chinese. That is were the word "respectful" was entered into this conversation, and that is what I was responding to. "They" are the Chinese gov't. The lack of respect referred to the destruction of countless holy sites and documents the rape and murder of nuns and monks, and the torture of Tibetan citizens. Very disrespectful.

[wgh999]

@drbadself Who are they?

[drbadself]

Especially the way they treated Tibet. Very respectful.

[agnostoatomo]

May we all accomplish what Avalokiteshvara and the Buddha points out & expresses here.May we understand that we are all one and equal in this profound understanding so that the ocean of Samsara is transformed into the ocean beyond Samsara and Nirvana beyond suffering discontentment anxiety frustration insecurity...Aaahhh

[videogaga999]

Who's the singer? Please anyone?

[videogaga999]

@Guardian016 She's already respectable if you can separate politics and ordinary people.

[templar333]

i have a long mp3 of the whole sutra in English,

Aim me, i can sent you Buddhist mp3s "THINKER3T" u must be using the program not a web im

i also have many other i can get

i just moved in to a new place so add me.. but when i get my internet set up right,, i can sent u all kind of stuff

[milascave]

It's pretty, and interesting, but hard to read.