Hsüan Hua Knihy

Often cited as "the most recited sutra in the world," the Heart Sutra has been chanted daily in Buddhist monasteries for over a thousand years. Explicated by the Venerable Hsuan Hua, one of the foremost Tripitaka and Chan Masters of Chinese Buddhism in the U.S., this sutra is the heart of the larger Prajna Paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) Sutra. It describes the transformation of wisdom and experience of the liberation of the bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokitesvara (Guanyin or Kwan Yin), through insight gained from deep meditation into the fundamental emptiness of all phenomena. A perfect introduction to Buddhist philosophy, this Sutra was translated into English by Ronald Epstein.Chinese version 978-0-88139-829-8Vietnamese version 978-088139-828-1Dr. Ronald Epstein, is a retired professor of religion and philosophy at California State University, San Francisco. Epstein, a practicing Buddhist scholar, holds a PhD in Buddhist Studies from the University of California, Berkeley and is author of the dictionary Buddhism A to Z and is co-editor of the Surangama A New Translation .

This book, Volume 6 of the Shurangama Sutra gives detailed commentary on Chapter 6 & 7 of the Sutra (ISBN 088139-940-x). Here the Buddha explains the Four Instructions on Purity (no killing, no stealing, no false speech and no lust) the foundation of meditation. He also explains how to establish a Bodhimanda or Way place with mirrors, incense burners, banners and other objects. He proclaims and then explains the function of the spiritual mantra, the Shurangama Mantra. Finally he explains the twelve categories of living beings in the world.

This Sutra gives the most detailed explanation of the Buddha's teachings concerning the mind. It includes an analysis of where the mind is located, an explanation of the origin of the cosmos, a discussion of the specific workings of karma, a description of all the realms of existence, and an exposition on the fifty kinds of samadhi-concentrations, which, if we become attached to any of them, can delude us in our search for awakening. Also, in this Sutra, twenty-five enlightened sages explain the methods they used to become enlightened. The Buddha talks about the formation of the world, the coming into being of sentient creatures, and the cycle of karmic retribution. He then discusses the merits of the sense organs and demonstrates the application of these principles in meditation.

Not everyone is fortunate enough to attend a meditation retreat with a Chan master, yet everyone can benefit from this handbook that explains the essential principals of chan meditation as taught by the late Tripitika Master Hsuan Hua, former instructor at Nan Hua Monastery in Canton, China, the bodhimanda of the Sixth Patriarch Hui Neng. Compiled from Chinese and translated into English, these talks span a 40 year period during retreats in China and America. Topics covered include- What are the benefits of meditation?- How do we sit in meditation?- What are the states of meditation?- How do we reach nirvana?- What is absolute enlightenment?