For this new translation of the most influential Buddhist text into English, an award-winning translator has utilized various Sanskrit and Chinese ...
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reviews
Dec 28, 2009
Rochelle
rated it: 
A year of studying The Heart Sutra leads Red Pine to the conclusion that this beloved sutra clarifies in a unique and profound way the Buddha's teaching on emptiness and suchness. He had overlooked the Heart Sutra, dismissing it as esoterica and perhaps not really aligned with his focus which is Soto Zen, until asked by a friend to translate it and prepare a commentary. He spent a year with it, and the texts that surround it and concluded that it is indeed the womb of buddhas..... Enjoyed it, a
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Feb 12, 2012
Tough nut to crack...
Mr. Porter is so far doing an excellent job at providing the historical context for who this tiny bit of wording came to be, and came to be so revered. I had no idea that Buddhist in Afghanistan and Pakistan has such an influence on Chinese Buddhism. People got around back then. Fascinating stuff.
Mr. Porter is so far doing an excellent job at providing the historical context for who this tiny bit of wording came to be, and came to be so revered. I had no idea that Buddhist in Afghanistan and Pakistan has such an influence on Chinese Buddhism. People got around back then. Fascinating stuff.
Nov 03, 2010
Eric
rated it: 
Considerable insight into Buddhist thought, past and present, by focusing on one short sutra. But who will teach us about future Buddhist thought? When ans how will Buddhism account for human evolution and stop taking the current human form as some kind of optimum.
Dec 12, 2011
Rick
rated it:
An excellent translation. Once again, Red Pine found the right words. At least, based upon the Chinese version, his translation sails way beyond mere competence. Excellent remarks on both the Sanskrit and Chinese add depth to this classic.
Sep 15, 2011
Jay
rated it:
Lucid translation with copious notes, as well as commentary from both Red Pine and others.
Oct 02, 2008
Phil
rated it:
Deeply insightful, with a translation that deviates from the commonly held. His commentary is rooted in the Chinese exegetical traditions of the Heart Sutra. Moreover, it is more a super-commentary, that is, he brings selections from what Chinese Masters had to say on a given word or phrase, and these often contrast interestingly from one another.
Jul 17, 2008
Scott
rated it: 
This is a fresh translation with commentary. It was iffy in the middle but became wonderful in the end. He has wonderful insights, and writes well. I didn't like some of his interpretations, nor what he did with the Sanskrit, but toward the end he was exactly on.
Oct 22, 2008
Joel
rated it:
A comprehensive commentary on the Heart Sutra, easily understood and well written. I'm sure that I'll read this book many, many times in the future.
Feb 26, 2008
Jeff Schuenke ref. It's called the "most profound and wide-reaching" of any Buddhist text.
Dec 03, 2011
George
rated it:
Valuable for me to always be "Currently Reading" this edition of this sutra.
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