The material world is itself emptiness.
Emptiness is itself the material world.
Powerful, mystical and concise, the Heart Sutra is believed to contain the condensed essence of all Buddhist wisdom. This brief poem on emptiness has exerted immense influence throughout Asia since the seventh century and is woven into the fabric of daily life. Yet even though it rivals the teachings of Laozi and Confucius in importance, this ancient Buddhist scripture remains barely known in the West.
During the many years he has spent living in Japan, Alex Kerr has been on a quest after the secrets of the Heart Sutra. Travelling from Japan, Korea, and China, to India, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam, this book brings together Buddhist teaching, talks with friends and mentors, and acute cultural insights to probe the universe of thought contained within this short but intense philosophical work.
'Marvellous ... a life's work ... a brilliant literary form, weaving reflections of the sutra with those on Alex's own magical mystery tour' Alexandra Munroe, Asian Art scholar and curator
| ISBN: | 9780241468456 |
| Publication date: | 26th November 2020 |
| Author: | Alex Kerr |
| Publisher: | Allen Lane an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 256 pages |
| Genres: |
Buddhism: sacred texts and revered writings Mahayana Buddhism Buddhist life and practice East Asian and Indian philosophy Popular philosophy |
The material world is itself emptiness.
Emptiness is itself the material world.
Powerful, mystical and concise, the Heart Sutra is believed to contain the condensed essence of all Buddhist wisdom. This brief poem on emptiness has exerted immense influence throughout Asia since the seventh century and is woven into the fabric of daily life. Yet even though it rivals the teachings of Laozi and Confucius in importance, this ancient Buddhist scripture remains barely known in the West.
During the many years he has spent living in Japan, Alex Kerr has been on a quest after the secrets of the Heart Sutra. Travelling from Japan, Korea, and China, to India, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam, this book brings together Buddhist teaching, talks with friends and mentors, and acute cultural insights to probe the universe of thought contained within this short but intense philosophical work.
'Marvellous ... a life's work ... a brilliant literary form, weaving reflections of the sutra with those on Alex's own magical mystery tour' Alexandra Munroe, Asian Art scholar and curator
Finding the Heart Sutra features in the following genres: Buddhism: sacred texts and revered writings, Mahayana Buddhism, Buddhist life and practice, East Asian and Indian philosophy, Popular philosophy
Finding the Heart Sutra is available in Paperback, Hardback
Finding the Heart Sutra was written by Alex Kerr and published by Allen Lane an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Finding the Heart Sutra has 256 pages