Heart of Wisdom: A Commentary to the Heart Sutra.

224 Pages·1986·11.104 MB·English

by  Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.

Heart of Wisdom
Also by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Meaningful to Behold
Clear Light of Bliss
Buddhism in the Tibetan Tradition: A Guide
Heart of Wisdom
A commentary to the Heart Sutra
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
Tharpa Publications
London
First published 1986.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, in
any form or by any means, except for the quotation of brief
passages for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or
review.
Tharpa Publications
15 Bendemeer Road
London SW15 1JX
©
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and Manjushri Institute 1985
Cover photo: Buddha Shakyamuni, from a modern thangka
painting by Johannes Frischknecht
Line illustrations by Andy Weber
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Gyatso, Geshe Kelsang
Heart of Wisdom: A commentary to the Heart Sutra.
1. Heart Sutra--Commentaries
2. Mahayana Buddhism--Sacred books
I. Title
294.3'85 BQ1610
ISBN 0-948006-03-X
Design and production by
Book Production Consultants Cambridge
Printed and bound by The Guernsey Press Co Ltd,
Guernsey, Channel Islands
Contents
List of Illustrations vi
Preface ix
The Text of the Essence of Wisdom Sutra xvii
1 Introduction 1
2 The Title and Homage 3
3 The Background and Shariputra's Question 7
4 The Paths of Accumulation and Preparation-(1) 17
5 The Paths of Accumulation and Preparation-(2) 48
6 ThePathofSeeing 85
7 The Path of Meditation 96
8 The Path of No-More-Learning 121
9 The Mantra and Exhortation 129
10 Buddha's Approval and the Promise to Practise 137
11 Conclusion 143
12 A Method to Overcome Hindrances 146
No~s 1~
Bibliography 177
Glossary 179
Outline of the Text 189
Index 193
List of Illustrations
Page
xvi Buddha Shakyamuni: the renowned buddha who }..ived
in India during the fifth and sixth centuries before
Christ. His teachings, including the Essence of Wisdom
Sutra, are the foundation of present-day buddhist
practice. He is shown in the mudra of meditative
equipoise.
12 Shariputra: one of Buddha Shakyamuni's principal
disciples. He has the aspect of a hinayana foe
destroyer (Skt. arhat).
The following are the eight principal mahayana
disciples of Buddha Shakyamuni. Appearing in the
form of bodhisattvas they demonstrated the correct
manner of practising the mahayana paths and helped
to spread Buddha's teachings for the extensive benefit
of others.
22 Avalokiteshvara
37 Manjushri
45 Vajrapani
60 Maitreya
73 Samantabhadra
84 Kshitigarbha
97 Sarvanivaranaviskambini
110 Akashagarbha
vi
Page
123 Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419): the great revitalizer of
buddhism in Tibet and the founder of the Gelug
lineage.
130 The mantra of the perfection of wisdom
138 Je Phabongkhapa (1878-1941): one of the great lineage
holders of recent times. He was the root guzu of
Yongdzin Trijang Dorje Chang.
142 Yongdzin Trijang Dorje Chang (1901-1981): the late
Junior Tutor to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai
Lama and root guru of the Author.
158 Prajnaparamita: the female buddha who is the em
bodiment of the resultant perfection of wisdom of fully
enlightened beings.
vii
Dedication
Through the force of composing this commentary I send
forth the prayer that all fighting among the nations of this
planet may immediately come to an end. May the dangers
afflicting humankind be pacified quickly. May every
embodied being without exception remain forever in
peace. May the pure teachings of sutra and secret mantra
flourish throughout the world so that all may reach the
ultimate peace and happiness of full enlightenment.
viii