Thich The other shore Heart Sutra
[eBook] 최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜 - 틱낫한 스님이 새로 읽고 해설한 반야심경
틱낫한 (지은이),손명희 (옮긴이),선업 (감수)싱긋2020-06-24
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책소개
불교의 기본 성전인 『반야심경』은 우리나라에서 가장 널리 독송되는 경전으로 누구나 한 번쯤 들어본 적이 있을 것이다. 『반야심경』은 정확히 『마하반야바라밀다심경』이라고 하며, 불교의 가장 심오한 가르침을 고도로 압축해 담고 있는 것으로, 우리를 참자유와 행복, 평화로 인도해줄 힘이 있는 중요한 경전이다.
『반야심경』의 정수는 “색(色)이 곧 공(空)이요 공이 곧 색이다”라는 유명한 문구에 담겨 있다. 또한 『반야심경』의 지혜는 우리가 탄생과 죽음, 존재와 비존재, 더러움과 순수함, 증가와 감소, 주체와 객체 등의 모든 대립쌍을 초월해 태어남도 죽음도 없고, 존재도 비존재도 없는 참다운 본성을 접할 수 있도록 도와주는 진리로서 이는 모든 현상의 본질이기도 하다.
목차
한국어판 감수의 말
초판 추천사
새 번역 및 해설판 추천사
서문: 구름과 동굴
『반야심경』: 강 건너 참자유에 이르는 지혜
하나: 상호존재
둘: 무엇이 비었는가?
셋: 이해의 길
넷: 비어 있음이여, 만세!
다섯: 비어 있음의 표식
여섯: 행복한 지속
일곱: 해바라기가 보이는가?
여덟: 장미와 쓰레기
아홉: 달은 언제나 달일지니
열: 이름에는 무엇이 들어 있는가?
열하나: 별은 곧 의식이다
열둘: 모든 것은 형성되어진 것
열셋: 행복의 길
열넷: 나비를 쫓아서
열다섯: 자유
열여섯: 두려움 없는 경지
열일곱: 깨닫는 이는 누구인가?
열여덟: 만트라
맺는말: 감귤 파티
부록 1
산스크리트어 버전
영어 직역
부록 2
올바른 이해의 정수
역자 후기
틱낫한 스님 소개
접기
책속에서
첫문장
베트남의 산속에는 수천 마리의 새가 둥지를 튼 동굴이 있습니다.
마치 종소리를 듣듯이 이 책을 읽어주십시오. 일상의 부담을 잠시 내려놓고 자리에 앉아 몸과 마음을 편안히 하고, 경이로운 스승의 법문이 내면에 깊이 울리는 것을 느껴보십시오. 이렇게 책과 하나가 되어 읽다보면 마음챙김의 종소리를 분명 여러 번 듣게 될 것입니다. 종소리가 울리면 잠시 책을 내려놓고 내면 깊은 곳에서 울려퍼지는 그 소리에 가만히 귀를 기울여보십시오. _「초판 추천사」에서 접기
시간, 공간, 대지, 비, 흙속의 광물질, 햇살, 구름, 강, 열기, 심지어 의식에 이르기까지 세상 모든 것이 이 종이 한 장에 깃들어 있습니다. 삼라만상이 이 종이와 공존합니다. 존재한다는 뜻은 곧 상호존재한다는 뜻입니다. 당신은 홀로 존재할 수 없습니다. 당신은 다른 모든 것과 함께 존재할 수밖에 없습니다. _「둘: 무엇이 비었는가?」에서 접기
우리가 경험하는 불행은 공(空)이라는 본질을 들여다보는 통찰을 통해 완전히 다른 것으로 탈바꿈할 수 있습니다. 지적인 관점에서 『반야심경』을 철학으로 바라보고 아무리 연구한들 우리가 안고 있는 괴로움은 해결되지 않습니다. 그러나 『반야심경』의 모든 단어와 문구를 우리의 괴로움과 우리의 가장 깊은 열망에 비추어 읽을 수 있다면 경전은 의미를 갖게 됩니다. _「셋: 이해의 길」에서 접기
우리 몸이 분리된 자아가 아니라는 깨달음은 참으로 중요합니다. 우리 몸은 이 몸이 아닌 온갖 것으로 이루어져 있습니다. 우리 몸은 몸 바깥에서 계속 이어집니다. 이 몸과 태어남, 그리고 궁극적인 죽음의 본질을 확연히 보게 되면 몸의 오고감은 더이상 우리에게 영향을 미치지 못합니다. 두려움이 생긴다면 이 몸을 아직 제대로 보지 못했기 때문입니다. _「여섯: 행복한 지속」에서 접기
이것은 저것을 창조하고 저것은 이것을 창조해냅니다. 부와 가난, 풍요로운 사회와 빈곤한 사회는 더불어 존재합니다. 한 사회의 부는 다른 사회의 빈곤으로 이루어집니다. 부는 부가 아닌 요소로 이루어지며 가난은 가난이 아닌 요소로 이루어집니다. 우리는 우리 주위에서 일어나는 모든 일에 책임이 있습니다. _「여덟: 장미와 쓰레기」에서
우리는 아버지나 어머니가 죽었다고 생각할지 모르지만 사실 그분들은 언제나 우리 안에 살아 있습니다. 우리는 우리 몸의 모든 세포 하나하나에서 우리 부모님을 접할 수 있습니다. 우리 안의 아버지나 우리 안의 어머니에게 말을 걸 수도 있습니다. 어머니나 아버지를 익숙한 형상으로는 더이상 볼 수 없지만 부모 자식 간의 대화는 언제나 가... 더보기
당신이 지금 뒤쫓고 있는 것은 이미 당신 안에 모두 갖추어져 있습니다. 불성(佛性)은 사람의 본성 안에 오롯이 들어 있습니다. 굳이 무엇인가가 될 필요가 없습니다. 당신은 이미 당신이 되고 싶은 사람이기 때문입니다. _「열넷: 나비를 쫓아서」에서
분리된 자아라는 관념을 버리면 더이상 그 어떤 콤플렉스도 짊어질 필요가 없는 대자유가 찾아옵니다. 잘못된 인식을 떨쳐버릴수록 우리가 누리는 자유도 더욱 커집니다. _「자유」에서
깨달음은 일상 속 실천입니다. 마음챙김과 집중의 에너지 속에서 살아간다면 일상의 매 순간이 깨달음의 순간이 될 수 있습니다. _「열일곱: 깨닫는 이는 누구인가?」에서
지금 우리가 가는 길, 우리가 경험하는 이 순간이 곧 행복이고, 자유이며, 평화입니다. 번뇌가 끊어진 최상의 행복과 대자유의 세계는 바로 지금, 여기입니다. 이 책을 부디 머리가 아닌 가슴으로 받아들여 생생히 깨어나는 경험을 누리시길 바랍니다. _「역자 후기」에서
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저자 및 역자소개
틱낫한 (Thich Nhat Hanh) (지은이)
세계에서 가장 존경받는 영적 지도자이자 선불교의 스승, 그리고 사회 변화를 위한 행동가이다.1926년 베트남에서 출생, 열여섯 살이던 1942년에 선불교에 입문하여 승려가 되었다. 1961년 미국으로 건너가 프린스턴대학교와 컬럼비아대학교에서 비교종교학을 공부했으며, 불교사상의 사회적 실천과 사회 문제에 대한 적극적 참여를 기본 정신으로 하는 ‘참여 불교(Engaged Buddhism)’를 주창하며 다양한 사회 운동을 펼쳤다. 이후 베트남 전쟁이 발발하자 전 세계를 돌며 반전평화운동을 전개하다가 베트남 정권에 의해 귀국 금지 조치를 당하자 1973년 프랑스로 망명했다. 이러한 활동에 힘입어 1967년에는 마틴 루터 킹 목사의 추천으로 노벨평화상 후보에 오르기도 했다.
1982년에는 프랑스 보르도 근처에 명상 공동체 ‘플럼 빌리지(Plum Village)’를 세우고, 지금 이 순간에 집중하는 ‘마음다함(mindfulness)’의 수련을 통한 평화와 명상의 가르침을 전 세계에 전하기 시작했다. 또한 2008년부터는 ‘마음다함’을 여러 학교와 대학에 도입하기 위한 훈련 과정을 개발하여 많은 교육자와 청년에게 ‘마음다함’을 전할 수 있는 창의적이고 효율적인 수행법을 정립했다. 2014년 뇌출혈로 쓰러진 후 2018년 고향인 베트남으로 돌아와 생을 보내던 중 2022년 1월 향년 96세로 타계했다. 《화해》 《화》 《모든 발걸음마다 평화》 《이 순간이 나의 집입니다》 《마음에는 평화 얼굴에는 미소》 등 100여 권의 책을 집필했으며, 쉽고 간결한 글로 삶의 지혜와 평화의 가르침을 전하는 그의 책은 지금도 전 세계인들에게 큰 울림을 주고 있다. 접기
최근작 : <평화 되기>,<천천히 가라, 숨 쉬며 그리고 웃으며>,<틱낫한 지구별 모든 생명에게> … 총 1071종 (모두보기)
손명희 (옮긴이)
연세대에서 인문학부와 이화여대 통역번역대학원을 졸업하고 전문번역가로 활동 중이다. 옮긴 책으로 『최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜』 『못 말리는 여자들』 『세계 역사 체험학습책』 『서양 문명의 열쇠 고대 그리스』 등을 번역했으며 출판 에이전시에서 세계 여러 나라 책을 소개하는 일을 했다.
최근작 : <내 친구 아시아!> … 총 17종 (모두보기)
선업 (감수)
한국명상지도자협회 이사
대한불교조계종 불교상담개발원 원장
동국대학교 대학원에서 신문방송 전공, 상명대학교 대학원에서 가족치료학을 전공했다. 스님으로서는 드물게 상담전문가 1급 자격을 취득했고 대한불교 조계종 종교 교류 위원, 불교상담개발원연구위원, 서울가정법원상담위원, 뫔행복치유 센터 원장으로 활동하고 있다. 상담 이외에도 웰빙에서 웰다잉까지 지혜를 함께 나누는 교육도 진행한다.
또한 다양한 명상 기법을 활용한 마음 치료 기법 개발에 힘쓰는데 근래에는 차를 매개로 활용하여 상담 받는 사람들의 내면을 치유하는 ‘차담명상’을 개발해 보급하는 일에 매진하고 있다. 불교방송 <우리는 도반입니다>에서 행복한 인간관계 증진에 대한 해법을 전하는 인기 진행자이자 사랑 전문 상담가로 종교계뿐만 아니라 일반인들 사이에서도 커다란 공감과 파장을 일으키고 있다. 지은 책으로 <연>, <마음으로 하는 말>이 있다. 접기
최근작 : <차명상학 입문서>,<마음으로 하는 말>,<연 緣> … 총 6종 (모두보기)
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출판사 제공 책소개
불교 2천 년 최고의 가르침
날마다 전 세계의 사찰과 선원에서 독송하는 불경을
오늘날 불교의 대표적 스승이자 평화운동가인 틱낫한 스님을 통해 읽는다
불교의 가르침 중 가장 널리 알려져 있지만
가장 많은 오해를 샀던 『반야심경』
혼란의 원인을 제거하고, 영원한 고전의 위력을 드러낸다
“부처님의 가르침을 담은 대승의 핵심 경전을
누구나 쉽게 이해할 수 있도록 풀이한 책.
이 책이 바로 그런 책입니다.
필요한, 딱 맞춘 책.” _선업 스님
“강 건너 참자유에 이르는 지혜”
불교의 기본 성전인 『반야심경』은 우리나라에서 가장 널리 독송되는 경전으로 누구나 한 번쯤 들어본 적이 있을 것이다. 『반야심경』은 정확히 『마하반야바라밀다심경』이라고 하며, 불교의 가장 심오한 가르침을 고도로 압축해 담고 있는 것으로, 우리를 참자유와 행복, 평화로 인도해줄 힘이 있는 중요한 경전이다. 『반야심경』의 정수는 “색(色)이 곧 공(空)이요 공이 곧 색이다”라는 유명한 문구에 담겨 있다. 또한 『반야심경』의 지혜는 우리가 탄생과 죽음, 존재와 비존재, 더러움과 순수함, 증가와 감소, 주체와 객체 등의 모든 대립쌍을 초월해 태어남도 죽음도 없고, 존재도 비존재도 없는 참다운 본성을 접할 수 있도록 도와주는 진리로서 이는 모든 현상의 본질이기도 하다.
새로운 번역, 상세한 해설
이번에 출간하는 플럼빌리지 전통 선사인 틱낫한(Thich Nhat Hanh) 스님의 『반야심경』 해설서인 『최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜』는 전통적 번역인 산스크리트어 버전 및 현장(玄?) 스님의 한역과는 다른 새로운 번역서로, 상세한 해설을 함께 싣고 있다. 이 새로운 번역에서 틱낫한 스님은 『반야심경』이 허무주의를 가르치는 내용으로 오해하지 않도록 ‘공(空)’의 의미를 명확히 했다. 스님의 번역에 따르면 공은 아무것도 없는 ‘무(無)’를 뜻하는 것이 아니라 분리된 자아(separate self)가 비어 있다, 즉 따로 자아라고 부를 것이 없다는 뜻이다. 공은 오직 자아가 비어 있음을 의미할 뿐 자아의 비존재를 의미하지는 않는다는 것이다. 공에 대해 이해하고 일상생활에서 마주치는 많은 도전과 어려움에 공을 적용하면 괴로움을 극복하고 크나큰 안도와 행복을 경험할 수 있다면서 관세음보살의 예를 들었다.
관세음보살은 우리와 같은 인간이었고, 우리와 같이 괴로워한 나머지 자기 안을 깊이 들여다보아 모든 것의 본질이 텅 비어 있음을 깨달았다고 한다. 이렇듯 공이라는 본질을 꿰뚫는 깊은 통찰력을 갖게 되자 괴로움이 즉시 사라진 관세음보살처럼 우리도 그 심오한 진리를 깨달으면 평화와 자유, 행복은 물론이고 타인의 경험까지 도울 수 있다는 것이다.
또한 스님은 새 번역본인 이 책에 “강 건너 참자유에 이르는 지혜”라는 문구를 사용하면서 연기(緣起), 무아(無我), 중도(中道), 공성(空性), 무상(無相), 무원(無願)에 대한 『반야심경』의 가르침의 정수를 매우 명확하게 표현했다.
불교 수행의 목적은 해방과 자유입니다.
수행한다는 말은 우리를 속박하고 괴롭히는 매듭을 풀어서
우리 자신을 자유롭게 한다는 뜻입니다. _163쪽
“열반의 자유를 누리다”
불교 수행의 목적은 해방과 자유이다. 우리를 속박하는 모든 매듭을 우리 손으로 풀 수 있다면 우리는 열반이라고 불리는 자유를 누릴 수 있을 것이다. 번뇌와 지식이라는 장애를 조금이라도 내려놓을 수 있다면 작게나마 지금 이 순간 열반을 누릴 수 있다. 오직 내려놓아야만 자유를 누릴 수 있는 것이다. 열반은 우리가 내려놓을 준비가 되어 있고 지식과 번뇌라는 장애를 떨쳐버리는 즉시 찾아들기 때문이다.
지금 이 순간의 삶은 이미 더없이 멋지다. 인생의 모든 경이로움은 지금 이 순간에 누릴 수 있다. 이런 경이로움에 눈뜨는 것만으로도 이미 자유와 평화, 기쁨이 충만하다. 삶이 힘들고 괴롭다면 이 책을 읽어보기를 권한다. 머리가 아닌 가슴으로 읽다보면 당신의 생각과 일상, 그리고 삶이 지금 당장 변화할 것이다. 접기
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평점분포 9.0
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공감순
대승 불교의 경전인 반야심경에 대한 틱낫한 스님의 새 해석이다. 책 자체는 이쁘고 번역도 좋은데 내용이 썩 내 마음에 들지는 않는다. 구매
종이연필 2020-08-15 공감 (0) 댓글 (0)
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마이리뷰
깨우침의 일별
가르침에서 얻은 깨우침이 단편적인 일별들이라 하나하나 적기에는 그렇고 본서에서 인상 깊었던 문장들을 옮기며 리뷰를 대신하려 합니다.
이하라 2020-07-03 공감(24) 댓글(0)
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최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜 새창으로 보기
색즉시공(色卽是空) 공즉시색(空卽是色)무슨 뜻인지 아시나요?『반야심경』이라는 불교 경전에 나오는 말이라고 해요.이 문구의 의미를 처음 들었을 때, 고개를 갸웃 했어요. 마치 암호 같아서.그런데 바로 이 문구가 『반야심경』의 정수라고 하니, 너무 어려워서 감히 더 들여다볼 시도조차 못했어요.<최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜>는 틱낫한 스님의『반야심경』해설서예요.불교 신자는 아니지만 틱낫한 스님의 책들을 읽으면서 마음의 평화를 느꼈던 터라, 이 책에 관심을 갖게 되었어요.왜 틱낫한 스님이 『반야심경』을 새롭게 번역했는지, 그 이유... + 더보기
오즐 2020-07-12 공감(4) 댓글(0)
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공감
반야심경에 담긴 지혜를 틱낫한표 해석으로 잘 가르쳐주는 책 새창으로 보기
틱낫한 스님의 책은 '화'와 '틱낫한의 평화로움', '소음으로 둘러싸인 세상에서의 침묵'을 읽어봤는데
불교적인 관점에서 누구나 할 수 있는 삶의 지혜를 가르쳐주었다. 이번에는 불교의 가장 기본적인
경전이라 할 수 있는 반야심경의 의미를 새롭게 해석하여 들려주는데, 전에 페이융의 '평생 걱정 없이
사는 법'이란 책을 통해 반야심경의 의미는 대략 배운 적이 있지만 틱낫한 스님은 과연 어떻게 해석하고
있을지 궁금했다.
이 책에서 틱낫한 스님은 반야심경의 내용을 총 18장에 걸쳐 풀이한다. 새 번역본에 스님은 '강 건너
참자유에 이르는 지혜'라는 이름을 붙였는데, 반야심경의 핵심사상을 담고 있는 누구나 들어본 적 있는
'색즉시공'의 의미를 새롭게 해석했다. 보통 '공'을 아무것도 없는 '무'를 뜻한다고 해석하는 경우가
많은데, 스님은 '분리된 자아가 비어 있다', 즉 따로 자아라고 부를 것이 없다는 뜻이라고 해석한다. 반야바라밀다의 가장 심오한 가르침은 자아의 공함과 모든 현상의 공함이지 자아와 현상의 부재나
비존재가 아니라는 취지로 새로운 번역을 선보였다고 하는데 솔직히 새로운 해석으로도 쉽다고 할 순
없었다. 반야바라밀다의 지혜는 기존의 모든 관습적 진리를 초월하여 꿰뚫는 궁극적인 진리로 우리가
탄생과 죽음, 존재와 비존재, 더러움과 순수함, 증가와 감소, 주체와 객체 등의 모든 대립 쌍을 초월해
태어남도 죽음도 없고, 존재도 비존재도 없는 참다운 본성을 접할 수 있도록 도와준다는데 이것이 바로
모든 현상의 본질로 차분하고 평화로우며 두려움 없는 상태인 열반의 경지라고 말한다. 종이를 예로
들면 종이에는 햇살, 벌목꾼, 밀, 벌목꾼의 부모 등 종이가 존재하기 위해서는 무수한 존재들이 관여
되어 있어 삼라만상이 종이와 공존한다고 얘기하는데, 모든 존재가 홀로 존재할 수 없고 더불어 존재하며
분리된 자아가 비어 있는 동시에 모든 것으로 가득차 있다고 말한다. 비어 있다는 것이 곧 살아 있다는
뜻이며, 비어 있음은 무상, 즉 덧없음이자 변화로 비어 있음의 진리를 깨달을 때 두려움에서 벗어날
수 있다고 얘기한다. 이렇게 '비어 있음'의 핵심 사상을 여러 예시를 들면서 최대한 알게 쉽게 설명
하는데 아무래도 추상적인 얘기라 바로바로 이해가 되는 건 아니었지만 차근차근 생각하면서 읽다
보면 그 의미를 깨달을 수 있었다. 불교 수행의 목적은 해방과 자유로 수행한다는 것은 우리를 속박하고
괴롭히는 매듭을 풀어서 우리 자신을 자유롭게 한다는 뜻인데, 다른 종교들이 은총에 의한 해탈이나
구원을 얘기하는 것과 달리 불교는 통찰에 의한 해탈이나 구원으로 스스로 깨달아야 함을 다시 한 번
확실하게 가르쳐주었다. 반야심경 속에 이렇게 깊은 뜻과 지혜가 담겨 있음을 새삼 깨닫게 해준 책이었는데 이 책에서 가르쳐주는 깨달음의 경지에 이를 수 있도록 항상 노력해야 할 것 같다.
- 접기
sunny 2020-07-18 공감(3) 댓글(0)
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최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜. 새창으로 보기
최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜와 반야심경이 도대체 무슨 관계가 있을까 하는 의문이 먼저 들었다.
틱낫한 스님의 명성이야 많이 들어왔으며 저서 또한 몇몇권은 소장해두고 있을 정도로 읽었지만 반야심경에 대한 책은 읽은 적이 없었다.
'최상의 행복의 이르는 지혜'라는 제목을 본 친구도 읽고 싶다고 하다가 반야심경의 해설이라는 설명에 이내 손사래를 쳤다.
가끔 중국 사극이나 불교 관련 다큐에서 반야심경에 대한 부분을 본 적은 있지만 정확한 내용을 알지 못했다.
괘 오래전 불교의 기본 교리나 역사에 대한 책을 읽은 적도 있고 금강경에 대한 책은 조금 읽은 기억이 있지만 반야심경은 이름만 많이 들아왔을 뿐 그 내용을 알지 못했는데 이 책을 읽으면서 조금은 알게 된 거 같았다
"아제아제 바라아제~" 아주 오래된 영화 제목으로 의미조차도 모르고 중얼거린 이 말이 반야심경에 나오는 말이라는 것도 '갔네 갔네 건너갔네' 라는 그 의미도 처음으로 알게 되었다.
반야심경의 풀 네임은 '마하반야바라밀다심경'이며 이 반야바라밀다는 '완전한 이해' 즉 완전한 깨달음을 의미한다고 한다.
반야심경은 우리를 두려움과 폭력이 없는 곳으로 인도해 주는 본질적인 가르침을 담고 있는 경전이라고 하니 반야심경의 의미를 이제야 알게 된 것이 아쉽기도 했다.
틱낫한 스님은 자신의 반야심경 새 번역본을 '강 건너 참자유에 이르는 지혜'라는 이름으로 불렀다고 한다.
불교에서 '공 空'은 중요시하지만 이는 허무주의가 아닐뿐더러 오히려 불교에서 허무주의는 괴로움을 초래할 수 있는 극단적인 견해라고 여겨진다고 한다.
더 이상 마음에 아무런 걸림이 없으며,
마음에 아무런 걸림이 없으매
모든 두려움을 극복하고
그릇된 인식을 타파하여
완전한 열반을 실현할 수 있느니라.
'관세음보살'은 많은 보살님들 중에 한 명이라고만 알았는데 '세상의 울부짖음을 듣는 이'라는 말에서 유래된 말이라고 하니 나무아비타불 관세음보살' 이라는 인사말의 의미에 대해서 궁금해진다.
물을 따라 낸 컵을 보고 '아무것도 비어 있는 않은 상태일 수는 없다'라고 하는데 그 의미에 대해 한참이나 책 읽기를 멈추고 몇 번이나 다시 생각해봤던 거 같다.
'반야심경을 공부하면 우리가 실제로 처한 상황을 꿰뚫어보는 지혜를 발견하게 되어 번뇌와 괴로움과 두려움으로부터 자유로워질 수 있습니다.'
부처님을 모신다고 요란한 사원과 불단, 공물들을 보면 제자들이 자신들의 배를 불리려고 하는 짓이라며 한탄하는 부처님이 지금의 형상을 보시며 부처 노릇을 하고 싶지는 않으실 거라는 생각에 웃음도 나왔다.
예나 지금이나 마찬가지구나 부처님에게 악마는 마라가 아니라 자신의 의도의 멋대로 해석하고 이용하고 있는 제자들이었을 것이다.
부처님은 두려움의 본질과 당면한 위험의 본질을 깊이 들여다보라고 조언하신다는 글에 지금 내가 느끼고 있는 두려움에 대한 제대로 된 생각을 해보는 것이 중요하다는 것을 알 수 있었다.
불교는 불멸의 영혼이 존재한다고 주장하지 않는다는 글을 읽으면서 흔히 알고 있는 윤회사상과의 차이에 대해서도 알 수 있었다.
행복으로 가는 길 자체가 '행복'이라는 글에서 도대체 행복이 뭘까 하는 근본적인 의문이 들기도 했다.
불교 수행의 목적이 열반이나 해탈이 아닌 통찰에 의한 해방과 자유라는 글에 의아하기도 했지만 그 행방과 자유의 진정한 의미를 알고 나니 이해가 되었다.
'반야심경'은 우리 마음의 밭을 가꾸도록 주어진 관세음보살의 선물이라고 한다.
불교와 부처님에 대해 가지고 있는 막연한 믿음과 신앙을 자신을 위한 무기로 사용할 수도 있겠지만 자신의 안위만을 위해서가 아닌 자신을 수양하여 남에게 베풀 수 있는 마음을 가진 사람이 될 수 있다면 그 길에서 자신 또한 더없이 행복한 마음의 수양을 할 수 있을 것이다.
오랜만에 읽은 틱낫한 스님의 새로운 책은 코로나로 어수선하고 날카로워진 마음에 여유를 찾아주었다.
에르피스 2020-07-19 공감(1) 댓글(0)
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틱낫한 「최상의 행복에 이르는 지혜」 (싱긋, 2020)
대승 불교의 심오한 가르침을 압축해 담은 <반야심경>을 제대로 이해하는 일은 나에게 너무나 어렵게 느껴졌습니다. 경전의 완전한 명칭부터 어렵습니다. ‘마하반야바라밀다심경’(摩訶般若波羅蜜多心經), 산스크리트어로는 ‘프라즈냐파라미타 흐리다야 수트람’(Prajnāpāramitā hrdaya sūtram)라고 하는데, ‘건너편 기슭, 통찰, 핵심, 경전’이라는 의미가 다 담겨 있다고 합니다. “우리를 건너편 기슭으로 데려다 주는 지혜”(The insight that brings us to the other shore)라고 번역할 수 있을 것입니다. 이 책에서는 “강 건너 참자유에 이르는 지혜”라고 번역했습니다. 이런 설명만으로도 <반야심경>이 조금은 친근하게 여겨집니다. 건너편 기슭은 열반(涅槃)을 상징하는 것으로, 결국 이 경전을 통해 참된 행복과 평화에 이를 수 있다고 말하는 셈입니다.
<반야심경>하면 두 문장이 떠오릅니다. 하나는 “색즉시공 공즉시색”(色卽是空 空卽是色, 색이 곧 공이요 공이 곧 색이다)입니다. 무슨 뜻인지 이해하기 어려웠는데, 꽃을 예로 들어 설명하니 어렴풋하게 의미를 깨달을 수 있습니다. 꽃은 오직 꽃이 아닌 요소로 이루어져 있습니다. 꽃은 분리된 존재가 비어있지만, 꽃이 아예 존재하지 않는다는 뜻은 아닙니다. 모든 것이 비어있다는 것은 허무(虛無)를 말하는 것이 아닙니다. 이 세상에 존재하는 모든 것은 연기(緣起)의 산물입니다. 틱낫한 스님의 표현대로 하면, ‘상호존재’(inter-being)하는 것입니다. 이런 불교의 핵심사상은 현대인들에게 큰 울림을 줍니다. 코로나 19사태로 우리는 나와 타인, 인간과 지구, 이 땅의 모든 생명과 물체가 서로 밀접히 연결되어 있음을 깊이 느낍니다. 이로써 먼지 한 톨은 온 우주를 품고 있다고 대담하게 말할 수 있을 것입니다. <반야심경>의 가르침을 잘 이해하면, 태어남과 죽음의 두려움을 뛰어넘을 수 있습니다. 스님은 내면에서 우러나는 미소와 깨어 있는 호흡과 내딛는 한 걸음으로도 내면의 평화뿐 아니라 세상의 평화도 이룰 수 있다고 말합니다. 참 인상적인 가르침입니다.
또 다른 문장은 “아제 아제 바라아제 바라승아제 모지 사바하”입니다. 반야심경의 이 마지막 문장은 ‘가자. 가자. 건너가자. 모두 건너가 한없는 깨달음을 이루자’라고 번역할 수도 있고, 틱낫한 스님처럼 ‘갔네. 갔네. 건너갔네. 모두 건너가서 한없는 깨달음을 이루었네.’라고 번역할 수도 있답니다. 어쨌든 <반야심경>은 내면을 성찰하고 세상의 모든 것이 연결되어 있음을 인식하여 연대와 자비 베품을 통해 최상의 행복(열반)에 이르는 새로운 길로 들어간다고 역설합니다. 이 책 덕분에 불교의 정수(精髓)를 조금은 이해할 수 있었습니다. 이 책에는 <반야심경>의 틱낫한 새번역(2014년 8월)과 영문판(The Heart Sutra), 산스크리트어 버전과 플럼빌리지 새번역이 함께 수록되어 있습니다. 틱낫한 스님에 관해서도 잘 소개되어 있습니다. 틱낫한 스님의 <반야심경> 해설서를 통해 독자들은 불교의 세계관을 제대로 이해할 수 있을 것입니다. ‘싱긋 출판사’에서 단아하게 책을 잘 만들어 냈습니다. 마음에 듭니다.
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The Other Shore: A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries Paperback – 19 June 2017
by Thich Nhat Hanh (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars 338 ratings
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Book Description
This new translation of the Buddha's most important, most studied teaching offers a radical new interpretation.
About the Author
THICH NHAT HANH is one of the most revered and influential spiritual teachers in the world today. Born in Vietnam in 1926, he became a Zen Buddhist monk at the age of sixteen. Over seven decades of teaching, he has published more than 100 books, which have sold more than five million copies in the United States alone. Exiled from Vietnam in 1966 for promoting peace, his teachings on Buddhism as a path to social and political transformation are responsible for bringing mindfulness to the West. In 1982 he established the international Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism in France, now the largest Buddhist monastery in Europe. He lives in Hue in Central Vietnam.
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Product details
Publisher : PARALLAX; Revised ed. edition (19 June 2017)
Language : English
Paperback : 196 pages
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From Australia
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Will read again
Reviewed in Australia on 11 April 2018
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I read this to try to understand a lived experience of the concept of emptyness. Its dificult for me and on completion i dont have that goal. I do have a sence that the teaching within is a good teaching and worth rereading. I am aware that the 4 weeks it took to read this book i was enjoying life. That enjoyment increase came from a process that is dificult to discribe. A awareness of more incluson into a subtle change of being more a part of (envronment and my actions) than
2 people found this helpful
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Hung Truong
5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding of the sutra
Reviewed in Australia on 18 March 2021
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I like the way the sutra was explained in plain English, using day to day experiences.
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Holly "Ragdoll Reads" Hodson
4.0 out of 5 stars A new interpretation of an ancient text.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 September 2018
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TL;DR – A skillful breakdown of the Heart Sutra, making an important piece of Buddhist scripture more accessible.
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RAGDOLL RATING: 4/5 BUTTONS
Why I read it…
I love Thich Nhat Hanh’s work, I find the man totally inspiring, so I’ll read basically anything of his. I read this specifically because I wanted to start reading Buddhist scriptures, and not just commentaries.
The Book…
The book is broken down into several parts. First up, we have introductions to the book and a very brief background to the Heart Sutra itself. Next we have what I suppose technically needs to be classified as a re-interpretation of the text. It’s more or less a translation but with some sections tidied up for better clarity. What follows is a series of chapters, each focusing on a few lines of the sutra, explaining what the text means and how we are to understand it. Then to finish up we have the original text in romanised sanskrit, and then a literal English translation and finally an English version of the text that was used for chanting at Plum Village from the 1980’s to 2014.
What I liked…
This book has Thich Nhat Hanh’s typical easy-to-read style of presentation. The concepts presented in the sutra are difficult and on their own, really confusing. But the text is broken down into sections, never more than a few short lines, and it’s content is fully explained clearly and carefully and allow even a novice reader to take away some important understanding from this text.
The purpose of this book was to clear up some confusion about the common interpretations of this sutra.
This rewording is needed because to say “in emptiness there is no form, no feelings, no mental formations, no consciousness…” is not in accord with the ultimate truth. Emptiness means only the emptiness of self, not the nonbeing of self, just as when a balloon is empty inside it doesn’t mean the balloon doesn’t exists.” Extract, p20
Apparently it is very common to get hung up on the sutra’s wording and get the wrong idea, and frankly having read it for myself I can absolutely see why people would get confused, it is a tough one. However, Thich Nhat Hanh has altered the wording of his translation (hence calling it a reinterpretation) to help clarify some of the finer points. It can get a little repetitive but it the commentaries are extremely helpful in aiding understanding of the text.
What I disliked…
The inclusion of 3 different English translations/transliterations/interpretations or whatever is a little peculiar. The commentaries focus exclusively on the first interpretation, which makes life easier, but I don’t fully understand why the others have been included and unless I missed it, I can’t find any explanation for it either. It’s nice to have more information of course, but 3 slightly different versions of the same text seemed a little unnecessary.
Final thoughts…
This is definitely a book I will come back to over time. I’m sure there are countless things I have missed and not quite understood fully. This book is, as far as I am aware, an excellent introduction to the Heart Sutra and a great jumping off point for the Buddhist canon in general.
___________________________________________
Please note: I am in no way affiliated with the author or publishers. I bought this book with my own money for my own reasons. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity!
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Stephen
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Heart Sutra
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 November 2020
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I bought the earlier version of this work many years ago when reading for my degree. Although it was not a set text for the Buddhism course, I was entranced by the text and the writing style. Years later - and still remembering the book fondly - I tried to buy another copy but failed (one day, maybe).
By chance, I came across this volume, which is an "updated" version of the book I had used during studies. And I have not been disappointed. The same clear text, the same way of explaining everything in such a perceptive way - it is a real gem.
Book quality is very good, a nice size to hold, quality paper used and a good spacing between the lines making the whole thing easy to read and easy on the eye.
When the book was delivered I felt that a missing part of me had been returned.
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Ian Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Not just a new edition of a previous work
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 September 2017
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Here, Thich Nhat Hanh revisits a text that he has made earlier commentaries on. In this book he provides an extremely insightful and inspiring re-interpretation of the sutra in question completed just before he suffered a serious stroke in November 2014. As a reading experience is completely new and fresh and deserves careful study in its own right.
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D J O'DRISCOLL
5.0 out of 5 stars this slim volume brings some wonderful insights into the Heart Sutra
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2018
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In one sense when you have read one Thich Nhat Hanh book you have read them all. Nevertheless, this slim volume brings some wonderful insights into the Heart Sutra. It is not the only translation/ commentary I would want to have of this text, but it is one I wouldn't want to be without.
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Brian Olley
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2017
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This is a lovely book. It clearly, and simply explains the Heart Sutra. I highly recommend this book.
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David Verney
5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 May 2019
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An interesting new translation of the Sutra followed by a clear and detailed discussion of its meaning. This has already proved useful to me in my meditation. Warmly recommended.
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Alexaria
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2020
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Probably the best and most concise translations and unfolding of this sutra I have read and understood to-date.
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Michael Jarvis
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 November 2017
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Simply beautiful....
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This new translation of the Buddha's most important, most studied teaching offers a radical new interpretation.
This new translation of the Buddha's most important, most studied teaching offers a radical new interpretation.
In September, 2014 Thich Nhat Hanh completed a profound and beautiful new English translation of the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, one of the most important and well-known sutras in Buddhism.
The Heart Sutra is recited daily in Mahayana temples and practice centers throughout the world. This new translation came about because Thich Nhat Hanh believes that the patriarch who originally compiled the Heart Sutra was not sufficiently skillful with his use of language to capture the intention of the Buddha's teachings-and has resulted in fundamental misunderstandings of the central tenets of Buddhism for almost 2,000 years.
In The Other Shore- A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries, Thich Nhat Hanh provides the new translation with commentaries based on his interpretation. Revealing the Buddha's original intention and insight makes clear what it means to transcend duality and pairs of opposites, such as birth and death, and to touch the ultimate reality and the wisdom of nondiscrimination. By helping to demystify the term "emptiness," the Heart Sutra is made more accessible and understandable.
Prior to the publication of The Other Shore, Thich Nhat Hanh's translation and commentaries of the Heart Sutra, called The Heart of Understanding, sold more than 120,000 copies in various editions and is one of the most beloved commentaries of this critical teaching. This new book, The Other Shore, supersedes all prior translations.
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The Other Shore: A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries
by Thich Nhat Hanh
4.67 · Rating details · 487 ratings · 57 reviews
This new translation of the Buddha's most important, most studied teaching offers a radical new interpretation.
In September, 2014 Thich Nhat Hanh completed a profound and beautiful new English translation of the Prajñaparamita Heart Sutra, one of the most important and well-known sutras in Buddhism.
The Heart Sutra is recited daily in Mahayana temples and practice centers throughout the world. This new translation came about because Thich Nhat Hanh believes that the patriarch who originally compiled the Heart Sutra was not sufficiently skillful with his use of language to capture the intention of the Buddha's teachings—and has resulted in fundamental misunderstandings of the central tenets of Buddhism for almost 2,000 years.
In The Other Shore: A New Translation of the Heart Sutra with Commentaries, Thich Nhat Hanh provides the new translation with commentaries based on his interpretation. Revealing the Buddha's original intention and insight makes clear what it means to transcend duality and pairs of opposites, such as birth and death, and to touch the ultimate reality and the wisdom of nondiscrimination. By helping to demystify the term "emptiness," the Heart Sutra is made more accessible and understandable.
Prior to the publication of The Other Shore, Thich Nhat Hanh's translation and commentaries of the Heart Sutra, called The Heart of Understanding, sold more than 120,000 copies in various editions and is one of the most beloved commentaries of this critical teaching. This new book, The Other Shore, supersedes all prior translations. (less)
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Karen
Feb 06, 2017Karen rated it it was amazing
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. THE OTHER SHORE: A NEW TRANSLATION OF THE HEART SUTRA WITH COMMENTARIES
WRITTEN BY THICH NHAT HANH
Thank you to Net Galley, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Parallex Press for my digital copy for a fair and honest review.
At the heart of the Buddhist teaching is the Prajnaparamita. Throughout the world in monastic and lay communities it is recited daily. I love and have many of Thich Nhat Hanh works. I find tranquillity and peace in every one of his publications. His commentaries that appear in his books are a basic teachings of Buddhism. Prajnaparamita means Perfect Understanding go all of the way back in time 2500 years ago.
Thay (an informal title) for teacher pronounced "Tie" During the retreats Thay encouraged participants to give calm, clear seeing and intimate attention to each daily activity, whether eating a a meal, or just walking quietly being aware of the sound or feel as we walk and our foot makes contact with the earth that supports it. In order to reach this kind of mindfulness a bell is rung or it is called a bodhisattva. Thay will say wake up and keep in mind to bring your attention back to yourself for a moment taking deep breaths and notice those around us. Anything can be used to bring yourself to the present moment. For that is what it takes for us to reach mindfulness. To be present in the here and the now.
In our lives there are things that block our way, causing confusion and preventing us from finding our true home. Not only obstacles and suffering cause us to lose our true way, sometimes.
I enjoyed this peaceful teaching very much. It was transcending. I need to learn the basics again. (less)
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Leanne
Mar 28, 2020Leanne rated it it was amazing
Like probably everyone else in the world, I am a huge fan of Thich Nhat Hanh. A great teacher, a beautiful human being. This is my favorite of his books I've read so far. I am glad I came to it late--after reading Red Pine, Brunnholzl and the best of all Tanahashi's -- and of their unique translations and commentaries on the Heart Sutra. For me, Tanahashi's text is the one to start with as it is so thorough and engaging, after which seeing the different and varying ways each of the thinkers, TNH, Red Pine and Brunnholzl-- interpret and translate the sutra is absolutely fascinating. I personally love TNH's the best. The book is a jewel. Like a lot of the reviewers said below, I will treasure this one and plan to re-read it again and again. "Chasing Butterflies" was especially moving. I feel like I have only cracked the surface and a hundred readings still wouldn't be enough to really understand the heart sutra! (less)
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Luke
Aug 28, 2017Luke rated it really liked it
Shelves: philosophy
Clearly articulated focus for a new translation, replacing "emptiness" with "no separate self", with short essay commentary on the application of each phrase to life today - footnotes for language and canon, but the focus is practical understanding of the Heart Sutra's message. Conze's translation was a ground for me when I first became interested in Buddhism, this is a solid alternative. (less)
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Forest Tong
Apr 01, 2018Forest Tong rated it it was amazing
I hadn't really resonated with Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings before reading this book--but whether it was the ripening of conditions in my mind, or whether it was the intellect and sensitivity in his writing, this book touched me. (less)
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Sherry Seymour
Jan 07, 2018Sherry Seymour rated it it was amazing
I have read other interpretations of the Heart Sutra before, but I now feel like I'm finally starting to understand it after reading this book. I also became more aware of the differences between Buddhism and ancient Indian beliefs (where things like karma and reincarnation often get wrongly associated with Buddhism). One of the most beautiful aftereffects of reading came from his explanation of death, which has given me a feeling of peace through the dismissal of nihilism. His examples of interbeing are not only poetic, but they also help me feel a sense of connection to nature. The cloud is in the tea (p. 76).
As a computer technology and language teacher, I benefited from the reminder that "out of compassion... a good teacher knows that no matter how careful they are, some people will inevitably become confused, and yet they must still try their best to help guide their students out of suffering" (p. 15). I know that sometimes I get impatient with students who need me to go through instructions slowly or lay them out extra clearly, and I forget that what may seem obvious to me is not common sense to everyone. I have to make more of a conscious effort to see things from their perspective in order to try to relieve their suffering.
Another useful reminder was that "everything is impermanent, including insight and compassion" (p. 112). He cautions us that if we do not put our new awareness into practice, we will regress. I know that I have regressed over the years in certain aspects of my life, and this was a needed nudge to show me the right path again.
This is a book I will re-read, as I am sure there is more wisdom to gain from it. (less)
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Susan Oleksiw
Apr 07, 2018Susan Oleksiw rated it really liked it
Shelves: nonfiction
The Heart Sutra, a short prose prayer in Buddhism, holds a central place in all branches. Known for his writings and work to bring Buddhism more fully to the West, Thich That Hanh has produced a new translation with some slight additions to bring clarity and deeper understanding to the essentials of Buddhism. The full translation is followed by chapters focused on each discrete section. These chapters are followed by the Sanskrit text, a literal English translation, and an alternate translation also used in Plum Village.
An effort is made to make the text about suffering, etc., more relevant to contemporary readers, but the stories or parables are those of earlier Buddhist works and continue the sensibility of an earlier mode of perceiving and understanding. Some chapters are more successful than others in conveying the sense of the original text, but all reward effort at patient rereading.
The translator spends time introducing the text and its history, as well as how he came to make this translation. The entire book is short, only 133 pages with front matter, in a well-designed format designed to appeal to western readers. (less)
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Phil
Jun 30, 2017Phil rated it really liked it
Shelves: netgalley, non-fiction, read-in-2017
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Going into this book, I felt a little out of place because I had no familiarity with the Heart Sutra. It seemed like I should have known more about it to truly appreciate this book.
Yet, this book does a wonderful job of providing the new translation, an explanation of why this differs from previous translations, and connects it to Buddhist precepts. As I went through the book, I found it possible to follow the ideas that connect to the new translation. They made a lot of sense to me. The amount of detail used to explain the concepts from the Heart Sutra is awesome.
These build on each other, so it may be necessary to reread sections, most of which are short enough to make it easy to do. I really like that each section takes a short portion of the Heart Sutra and breaks it down, and then the translation is provided in its entirety at the end. It makes it possible to read it as a whole and to focus down on individual portions. Worth picking up for anyone interested in Zen practices. (less)
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Leland
Sep 18, 2019Leland rated it it was amazing
In this thin book, Thich Nhat Hanh not only provides a new translation and commentaries on the Heart sutra, he gives the reader an understanding of the meaning of emptiness in this beautiful and important Mahayana text.
"If you know that the 'self' that you speak about is not an immortal soul, but only a manifestation, a coming together of many causes and conditions, then you are safe. It is the awareness, not the name, that is most important."
I have never wanted to chant the mantra that finishes the Heart sutra before, but now I do, with the understanding and insight gained from Thich Nhat Hanh's book.
Gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, bodhi svaha. (less)
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Jocelyn
Aug 02, 2018Jocelyn rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2018-reads, favourites-to-return-to-again, non-fiction
I took this book slowly, at times a difficult read even with Thich Nhat Hanh's enlightened commentary. The emptiness / nothingness concepts are hard to grasp. I really like the idea of inter-being. So, now I'm ready to return to the beginning and read The Other Shore again. Slowly and mindfully, a continuing study of The Heart Sutra. (less)
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Jared
May 23, 2018Jared rated it it was amazing
An insightful and useful text. His new translation of the heart sutra helps to move beyond both pessimistic and dualistic readings of the sutra. Very helpful as a meditator and a teacher of meditation.
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ananan
Mar 03, 2022ananan rated it it was amazing
This is my favorite Buddhism book I've read so far. Highly recommend this one for anyone who wants to read and learn more about Buddhism, through this wonderful commentary of the Heart Sutra, a text that condenses the deepest teachings of Buddhism. The writing is very clear and easy to understand, presented in such a logical, scientific, and philosophical way with beautiful but simple examples. I recommend reading this slowly, one chapter a day, really developing deep understanding on each sentence, in order to get the most insight from the teaching. It's also definitely one to re-read again and again, which is exactly what I'm planning to do. (less)
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Holly
Sep 17, 2018Holly rated it really liked it
Originally posted at ragdollreads.co.uk
A new interpretation of an ancient text.
TL;DR – A skillful breakdown of the Heart Sutra, making an important piece of Buddhist scripture more accessible.
RAGDOLL RATING: 4/5 BUTTONS
Why I read it…
I love Thich Nhat Hanh’s work, I find the man totally inspiring, so I’ll read basically anything of his. I read this specifically because I wanted to start reading Buddhist scriptures, and not just commentaries.
The Book…
The book is broken down into several parts. First up, we have introductions to the book and a very brief background to the Heart Sutra itself. Next we have what I suppose technically needs to be classified as a re-interpretation of the text. It’s more or less a translation but with some sections tidied up for better clarity. What follows is a series of chapters, each focusing on a few lines of the sutra, explaining what the text means and how we are to understand it. Then to finish up we have the original text in romanised sanskrit, and then a literal English translation and finally an English version of the text that was used for chanting at Plum Village from the 1980’s to 2014.
What I liked…
This book has Thich Nhat Hanh’s typical easy-to-read style of presentation. The concepts presented in the sutra are difficult and on their own, really confusing. But the text is broken down into sections, never more than a few short lines, and it’s content is fully explained clearly and carefully and allow even a novice reader to take away some important understanding from this text.
The purpose of this book was to clear up some confusion about the common interpretations of this sutra.
This rewording is needed because to say “in emptiness there is no form, no feelings, no mental formations, no consciousness…” is not in accord with the ultimate truth. Emptiness means only the emptiness of self, not the nonbeing of self, just as when a balloon is empty inside it doesn’t mean the balloon doesn’t exists.” Extract, p20
Apparently it is very common to get hung up on the sutra’s wording and get the wrong idea, and frankly having read it for myself I can absolutely see why people would get confused, it is a tough one. However, Thich Nhat Hanh has altered the wording of his translation (hence calling it a reinterpretation) to help clarify some of the finer points. It can get a little repetitive but it the commentaries are extremely helpful in aiding understanding of the text.
What I disliked…
The inclusion of 3 different English translations/transliterations/interpretations or whatever is a little peculiar. The commentaries focus exclusively on the first interpretation, which makes life easier, but I don’t fully understand why the others have been included and unless I missed it, I can’t find any explanation for it either. It’s nice to have more information of course, but 3 slightly different versions of the same text seemed a little unnecessary.
Final thoughts…
This is definitely a book I will come back to over time. I’m sure there are countless things I have missed and not quite understood fully. This book is, as far as I am aware, an excellent introduction to the Heart Sutra and a great jumping off point for the Buddhist canon in general.
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Please note: I am in no way affiliated with the author or publishers. I bought this book with my own money for my own reasons. The opinions contained within are my own and have not been influenced by any external entity! (less)
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Maria Barcelo
Jun 30, 2021Maria Barcelo rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism
A beautiful, insightful translation of the Heart Sutra. It might be a little too mind bending for brand new students of Buddhism, but for more experienced students and practitioners this should be essential reading. “The Other Shore” really expanded my understanding of the prajnaparamitra sutra (as much as I could ever really actually “understand” the sutra) and gave me new ways of looking at inter-being and non-duality. I cherish and honor Thich Nhat Hahn as a teacher and writer more and more every year. His ability to convey very complex Buddhist teachings in simple, accessible and yet elegant language for a lay audience is impressive. (less)
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Sally Isabel
Mar 16, 2021Sally Isabel rated it it was amazing
In this guided reading of the Heart Sutra, Thich Nhat Hanh explains the message of non-duality. He demonstrates through logic and science that what we conceive of as opposites often are simply different ends of a spectrum and that there is no hard break between them, for example between life and death:
"When we think about matter or form, we tend to distinguish between living and inanimate matter, but modern sciences tells us that the distinction between animate and inanimate is not very precise. What we call inert matter may not be as inert as we think; it could be full of life. Matter is not something solid and unchanging. Two thousand years ago, it was written in the Prajnaparamita Sutra [...] that if you look deeply into matter you only see something insubstantial and full of holes, like foam." (pp37-8)
He also wrote much about interconnectivity of all things: "No one among us has clean hands. None of us can claim that the situation is not our responsibility. The child who is forced to work as a prostitute is that way because of the way we are. The refugees who are forced to live in camps have to live like that because of the way we live. The arms dealers do their business so that our economies can continue to grow and they can benefit. This helps to create that, and that helps to create this. Wealth and poverty, the affluent society and the poor society, inter-are. The wealth of one society is made of the poverty of the other. Wealth is made of non-wealth elements and poverty is made of non-poverty elements." (p65)
As a vegan, I was especially happy to read how he promotes a vegetarian diet: "Almost eighty percent of our agricultural land is now used to raise animals for food or to grow grain to feed them--about thirty percent of the Earth's total land mass. By destroying the forests, and by producing ever-increasing quantities of greenhouse gases, we endanger our civilization. Because of our greed, we risk destroying ourselves." (p70) and " According to the United Nations report released on November 29, 2006, just reducing our consumption of meat by fifty percent could already be enough to save our civilization, and that is something we can all easily do." (p71)
Finally, he ends the book with a reminder to stop grasping for enlightenment (p99) and the importance of letting go of "releasing our knowledge" (p 103) as part of this process. On the path itself, during the mundane moments of our lives, we can be happy. It's not something we have to wait for or even really work for. We just have to let it be. (less)
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Ulrike
Sep 19, 2019Ulrike rated it it was ok
Shelves: religion-spiritual, epluspaper
Interesting to read, but I found the theory rather confusing.
He says that (if we look deep enough) we can see the sun, the rain, the forest, the logger, the logger's daily bread etc. in the sheet of paper . This is rather banal, all these are just the conditions which - if met - lead to the existence of a sheet of paper, there's nothing spiritual in this, also it is rather unusual to say the conditions that lead to the existence of something are "in" it. Of course, all these things are related - we usually call this kind of relation "causation" and not "interbeing".
He also claims that there is no birth no death and explains it by pointing to the fact, that nothing comes from nothing and no thing changes into nothing. This of course means everything is somehow (how???) already there and stays there but constantly changes into something else - this seems to be a very similar idea to the idea that nothing ever "dies", because its atoms and energies do not vanish, but (as far as we know) will stay in the universe forever. Nothing spiritual (or specifically buddhist) here as well.
He says there is no separate self anywhere - on the other hand he says that everyone and everything (even minerals) have the seed of enlightenment - so no self anywhere but, but seeds everywhere? What does that mean?
Many philosophers and theologians think, that any theory that goes contrary to our sound intuitions is not a very reasonable theory. That said: if someone tells me my body is real but my sense of some inner self is an illusion, but I still have a seed of enlightenment in me, which I must make grow, to me that not very reasonable.
If he just wanted to say, that we should not pay too much attention to our selves (= not be egoistic), because we must be aware that we are deeply connected to everything in the world, he is absolutely right, but for that there is no need of a theory about self or seeds or enlightenment .... (less)
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Elaine
May 22, 2020Elaine rated it it was amazing
The Heart Sutra has appeared a lot ever since I started reading up on Buddhism. To me, it seemed a very impactful sutra in the Buddhist world. For a time, I was very interested in it, until I wasn't, because it was very difficult to find out more about it. I was reminded of it not too long ago when I finally decided to take the step to talk about this religion with one of my relatives. When I decided to look further into the English version, I found this book. I honestly have no idea how I could have missed this previously when I first heard about this sutra.
Every single time I chose to pick up a book related to Buddhism, there are periods of time that I'm able to feel at ease, which is why I'm always going back to reading one. This book is no exception. The Heart Sutra, to me, explains a lot about what Buddha himself have taught. The concept of being and non-being; the concept of separate self and inter-being; the concept of no birth and no death, etc, really brought my awareness to another level. To learn about the history of the English translation of this sutra was also very interesting, and I'm very glad that I'm living in an era where it's available.
If you're interested in learning about the Heart Sutra, this is for you. Thich Nhat Hanh explains every concept that Avalokiteśvara saw, every line of the sutra. I'm not too sure if it's considered in-depth, but it is enough for one to have enough knowledge to contemplate. Finally, after so many years, I've learnt a little more about Guanyin, a bodhisattva that I grew up with — and that I had absolutely no knowledge of. (less)
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Sean
May 02, 2021Sean rated it really liked it
Shelves: recommended-nonfiction, reviewed
"The Other Shore" by Thich Nhat Hanh is the last book he completed before he suffered a massive stroke in 2014. I feel like it one of the best gifts he could have given. It is an insightful, lucid translation of the Heart Sutra that tries to capture its nuances for a 21st century audience. The commentary is excellent and I felt like I understood many of its concepts much more deeply from his teachings. While I really like his other books like The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation, I feel like this one is more focused and encapsulates many of the themes that he has been teaching for his entire career. (less)
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Andrew
Sep 08, 2018Andrew rated it really liked it
definitely your above-average book on emptiness. thich nhat hanh's inter-be and inter-areare tremendous, built to snap everyday people from the malaise of today's banal nihilism and solipsism. a masterful use of zen-style upaya. he really shines in his parables and stories (which are nested between his kinda boring (sorry) metaphysical diatribes (sorry). many things in this book could use improvement like his prose (sorry). but). all and all still a very much underrated book among serious students of buddhist metapraxis (less)
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Aadesh
Apr 01, 2021Aadesh rated it really liked it
This is my first book for hardcore Buddhist philosophy. The heart sutra is unique to chant. I really enjoyed the commentaries from Zen guru Hanh and how he interprets emptiness as inter-being. The concept of inter-being is not new or unexplored. But it felt so natural to understand Heart Sutra with the concept of inter-being. Since everything exists because it co-exists with others, I was not fully content with the heart sutra being the most important teachings. Based on the book itself, heart sutra co-exists with other sutras so every sutra is as important as Heart Sutra. (less)
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Jojo
Jan 05, 2019Jojo rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism, spirituality
1 highlight
I don't really do New Year's resolutions, but I'm working on making meditation a daily practice in 2019 and have been thinking about the Heart Sutra recently, so this was a good one to be the first read of the year. Some concepts here that can be a bit brain-breaking (at least for my brain), but presented in an engaging and easy to understand way. Like, I got to the end and feel like I have a much better grasp of what the Heart Sutra is about now. So yay! (less)
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Meg Pasnik
Jul 08, 2018Meg Pasnik rated it it was amazing
Thich Nhat Hanh has a simple yet beautiful way of explaining and shining light on what he's touching on. In his new translation of The Heart Sutra, he breaks it down bit by bit in each chapter, illustrating each verse with his words. Read it very easily in about a couple hours. Great read for people getting into Buddhism! (less)
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Lily
Jan 22, 2018Lily rated it really liked it
Shelves: 2018
How lovely. As usual, the mixture of history and philosophy in his simple and clear voice is rich and deep. Thich Nhat Hanh explores the Heart Sutra, getting to the depths of what "nothingness" actually means and the false binaries of conceptualization and language that prevent people from accessing reality. The heart sutra reminds me a lot of the beginning of the tao te ching. (less)
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Jen
Jul 05, 2020Jen rated it really liked it
The Heart Sutra has always been comforting to me. Thich Nhat Hanh's explanation of emptiness is simple and easy to understand, and I would often reread the words because of how much they spoke to me in these uncertain times. It's never been more important for me to realise how we are all in this together. (less)
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Brent
Dec 04, 2017Brent rated it it was amazing
An illuminating translation
A have read several translations and commentaries on the Heart Sutra. Different translations serve different purposes, but this is the best I have found for illuminating the meaning for a Western audience.
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MJKF
Feb 18, 2017MJKF rated it really liked it
Shelves: religion-eastern-and-mindfulness
Some of the things discussed in this book can be found in Tich Nhat Hahn's other books. Still a fascinating and wonderful book worth that is worth reading if interested in Buddhism. (less)
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Geoff
Mar 18, 2021Geoff rated it it was amazing
Shelves: 2021, buddhism
'The Heart Sutra is a deep and important text, which has the capacity to bring us to the shore of liberation, happiness, and peace, and yet it has also caused much misunderstanding for more than 1,500 years. I believe that these misunderstandings have come about because the patriarch who compiled the Heart Sutra made an unskillful choice of wording.'
The Heart Sutra belongs to the Prajnaparamita collection of sutras. In particular, the Heart Sutra is the most frequently used and recited text in t ...more
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Stephen Durrant
Mar 30, 2022Stephen Durrant rated it liked it
Once again I feel a bit apologetic about my reaction. I have always disliked reviews that wanted a different kind of book than the one the reviewer chose to read, but that's basically where I am in this case. The Heart Sutra is a provocative and, I believe, difficult text. I was looking for serious exegesis, and what I got was engaging, to be sure, but a rather popularized presentation that struck me as trying to update the Sutra for contemporary seekers of truth. I should have known. Thich Nhat Hanh spent much of his life as a "missionary" of Buddhism and was highly successful in that endeavor. He has a big audience for what he writes, and he writes with clarity and persuasiveness. But, I was looking for something that elucidated rather than adapted the original. Once I have properly digested something like that, maybe I'll feel better prepared to go on to more daring revisions of the text such as those of Thich Nhat Hanh. (less)
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Lisa November
May 13, 2020Lisa November rated it it was amazing
This is a sublime, deceptively deep little book full of wisdom. I recommend reading it very slowly, practicing what you read, and maybe, reading the book with a small group or at least one other person.
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