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4th out of 20 books
—
5 voters
The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra
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.
Paperback, 56 pages
Published
October 1st 1988
by Parallax Press
(first published May 31st 1987)
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Y0u can't really three-star a sweet little treatise 0n h0w t0 be m0re kind and m0re aware 0f the hearts 0f pe0ple ar0und y0u, s0 this gets f0ur stars, because Thich Nhat Hanh, I like y0u m0re in the0ry than in practice, y0u 0l' dry-t0ngued devil.
I have read several books from Thich Nhat Hanh and have enjoyed them all. The Heart of Understanding is more of a vignette style than the other books I've experienced (since it is a commentary), but doesn't detract from the information therein.
If you've read much of his work (or works of other Buddhist authors), most of the book will seem like a review, but it puts all the thoughts around inter-being and the idea of emptiness into one place. I usually take away a thought or phrase away from each...more
If you've read much of his work (or works of other Buddhist authors), most of the book will seem like a review, but it puts all the thoughts around inter-being and the idea of emptiness into one place. I usually take away a thought or phrase away from each...more
Tentatively three-starred since I am, at the moment, unable to agree with the author's writings. Or perhaps it is more of a matter of understanding.
I can see how a piece of paper encompass the sun, trees, a speck of dust. So can I see the farmer's toil, his time, her sweat, a bull's labour, the sun's energy, the rain, in every grain of rice I eat.
But I am unable to see me myself in others, others in me. Though this much I know: that I am defined by everything else in the universe - my siblings,...more
I can see how a piece of paper encompass the sun, trees, a speck of dust. So can I see the farmer's toil, his time, her sweat, a bull's labour, the sun's energy, the rain, in every grain of rice I eat.
But I am unable to see me myself in others, others in me. Though this much I know: that I am defined by everything else in the universe - my siblings,...more
Short, simple, and deeply insightful commentary on the core sutra of mahayana Buddhism. The Heart Sutra is the heart of the prajna paramita literature, the great deepening of the Buddha's original teaching. This work demystifies the concept of "emptiness" by substituting the idea that we "inter-are." no one if us, no concept, nothing exists independent of the rest of us. You could read this book in an hour, and keep returning to it for a lifetime.
This provides a good background to the basics of Buddhism as Thich Nhat Hanh comments on the Heart Sutra, regarded as the essence of Buddhist teachings one of the key sutras (scripture-type writing. Here TNH explains the concept of emptiness and other important conceptsin a way that I finally understand.
Some very valid statements, although controversial on some topics.
Actually quite enjoyed it even if it was mind-boggling at some points.
Definitely an interesting take on Buddhism that has helped me develop a respect for the religion and the peace that it preaches.
Actually quite enjoyed it even if it was mind-boggling at some points.
Definitely an interesting take on Buddhism that has helped me develop a respect for the religion and the peace that it preaches.
I read this for a class on Buddhism, and even though I am Christian, the ideas presented here were really amazing. The Heart Sutra was set forth as not just a Buddhist text, but a meditation on how to live a life of basic human decency. The idea of interbeing (far from a simple new-age philosophy) makes sense and shows a way to live unselfishly.
This books transcends culture and religion, and gets at some of the most basic problems in society today. Thich Nhat Hanh, with the ideas he stands for,...more
This books transcends culture and religion, and gets at some of the most basic problems in society today. Thich Nhat Hanh, with the ideas he stands for,...more
The Heart Sutra always seemed a bit pessimistic and alien to me. Now that I'm chanting it every day, I wanted to have a better understanding of what it's all about. This book made me love the Heart Sutra.. . thanks Thay!
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This book is more of a pamphlet than an actual book. Reading it takes about an hour, and you will feel calm, relaxed, and thankful afterwards. Basically an hour-long meditation exercise. Truly wonderful.
I love this book. It's short and simple yet deeply meaningful. It makes clear Buddhist teaching that seem like contradictions. I could reread it a million times and understand another layer every time.
a booklet to help reflect on one's own spiritual journey:
for form is emptiness and emptiness is form;
and form is not other than emptiness and emptiness is not other than form.
for form is emptiness and emptiness is form;
and form is not other than emptiness and emptiness is not other than form.
Nothing exists independant of the rest of us. Non-duality, interbeing...the idea that we are all connected eliminates "us vs. them" thinking...there is no line between being and nothingness. A study of the Heart Sutra you can read in one sitting and study a lifetime.
Thay's concept of "inter-being" is wonderful. I agree with him. There should be a new verb: "inter-be." If we could all truly experience this rather than just believing it intellectually...that we are "empty of separateness," it would be the advent of a compassionate universe.
A concise and understandable explication of some of Buddhisms more complex concepts, including emptiness, interbeing, and nonduality.
Excellent introduction to the Heart Sutra. As a rank beginner, I found it clearer than the Dalai Lama's Essence of the Heart Sutra.
my favorite book of last summer. it's short so read it three times in a week. it will help you realize that you are a tree!
The heart of Buddhism (with Zen leanings) is encapsulated in this slim and poetic volume, but this book is for everyone. If you don't know Buddha from butter, it won't matter. It's probably the best introduction to the fundamental concepts of dependent origination and emptiness I have come across, without the didacticism or defensiveness that often accompanies more scholarly "explanations." It's simple, the way it's supposed to be. The way it is!
Great introduction to Buddhism, but incredibly short. Definitely piqued my interest though; I'll have to read more.
Explanation of the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra which I desperately needed and still don't altogether get.
Jan 15, 2013
Julie Johnson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
buddhist-philosophy,
transformational
Delightful and useful for anyone wanting to have a grounded interpretation of the HEART SUTRA.
5 stars for the Heart Sutra, and Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries are nicely succinct.
Wonderful little booklet. Crisp, clear writing. Worth rereading. Highly recommended.
I love this explanation of an important sutra. This book has brought me a lot of peace.
This is a good book i recommend it to every single person to read this!
My first experience reading Hanh.
Opened so many doors for me mentally.
Opened so many doors for me mentally.
This book changed my life and took away my fear of dying.
more of a pamphlet, a good refocus on buddhist principles.
This was a follow up for me after "The Heart Of the Buddha's Teaching". So much to think about in such a small book. I like this way of thinking about life.
Dec 25, 2008
Heath Duncan
added it
Love and tolerence
Beautiful.
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Thích Nhất Hạnh is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who now lives in southwest France where he was in exile for many years.
Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary...more
More about Thich Nhat Hanh...
Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary...more
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