Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries Paperback – December 21, 2011
by Thich Nhat Hanh (Author)
4.9 out of 5 stars 205 ratings
Kindle
from $16.99Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$22.88
A comprehensive, single-volume collection of the Buddha’s key sutras, translated with contemporary commentary by an internationally known Zen master
An essential companion to Thich Nhat Hanh’s bestselling collection of meditation and mindfulness practices, Happiness, this book captures the heart of Buddhist wisdom and Thich Nhat Hanh’s unique talent to make the Buddha’s teachings accessible and applicable to our daily lives and times. This is a wonderful gift for anyone looking to deepen their practice and understanding of the teachings, as well as a unique resource to understand the fundamentals of Buddhism from its source.
With a new introduction and updated commentary, Awakening of the Heart contains the following sutras:
• Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra
• Diamond Sutra
• Sutra on Full Awareness of Breathing
• Sutra on The Four Establishments of Mindfulness
• Sutra on The Better Way to Catch A Snake
• Sutra on The Better Way to Live Alone
• Sutra on The Eight Realizations of The Great Beings
• Discourse on Happiness
• Teachings on the Middle Way
Paperback, 544 pages
Write a review
Mads P.
Sep 09, 2013Mads P. rated it it was amazing
Recommends it for: Buddhists or those studying Buddhism
This book is a must-read for those interested in serious study of Buddhism. It's a thick volume, covering the essential sutras: diamond, heart, mindfulness, breathing, etc. The best thing about the book is the commentary after each sutra by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is able to explain complex ideas in a way that's understandable, and even poetic at times. I read this as part of a discussion group that met once a month, which was very helpful for reflecting on and understanding the sutras. A person could spend a lifetime working the sutras to grow spiritually. This is a book I hope to keep referring to throughout my life. (less)
flag6 likes · Like · comment · see review
Write a review
Mads P.
Sep 09, 2013Mads P. rated it it was amazing
Recommends it for: Buddhists or those studying Buddhism
This book is a must-read for those interested in serious study of Buddhism. It's a thick volume, covering the essential sutras: diamond, heart, mindfulness, breathing, etc. The best thing about the book is the commentary after each sutra by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is able to explain complex ideas in a way that's understandable, and even poetic at times. I read this as part of a discussion group that met once a month, which was very helpful for reflecting on and understanding the sutras. A person could spend a lifetime working the sutras to grow spiritually. This is a book I hope to keep referring to throughout my life. (less)
flag6 likes · Like · comment · see review
Loïc Cas
Apr 27, 2022Loïc Cas rated it it was amazing
A deep and inspiring compilation of sutras and their commentaries, that will help and inspire buddhist practitioners, wether from Plum Village tradition or not. Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries are illuminating. (less)
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
==
JOANNE MACPEEK
Jul 26, 2012JOANNE MACPEEK rated it really liked it
Very slow reading gives a sense of real awakening
Good commentary and analogies
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
JOANNE MACPEEK
Jul 26, 2012JOANNE MACPEEK rated it really liked it
Very slow reading gives a sense of real awakening
Good commentary and analogies
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
==
Julio Armas
Jul 28, 2018Julio Armas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This collection of Sutras is a blessing.
The Sutras in this collection offer practical advice on how to deal with our suffering, how to be among people, how to understand the teachings, and how to put them into practice. We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to read this Sutras with a commentary of a highly accomplished teacher as Thich Nhat Hanh. I highly recommend this book.
flagLike · comment · see review
Julio Armas
Jul 28, 2018Julio Armas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This collection of Sutras is a blessing.
The Sutras in this collection offer practical advice on how to deal with our suffering, how to be among people, how to understand the teachings, and how to put them into practice. We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to read this Sutras with a commentary of a highly accomplished teacher as Thich Nhat Hanh. I highly recommend this book.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Lon
Nov 29, 2017Lon rated it it was amazing
Compelling translations of key Buddhist sutras with extensive commentary by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, whose gifts for simile and illuminating explication bring a rare clarity to these texts. Instead of reading cover to cover, a fruitful approach might be to slow down and really live with each sutra for awhile, appreciating the commentary not as definitive statements, but as catalysts for personal insight, deeper than language.
flagLike · comment · see review
Lon
Nov 29, 2017Lon rated it it was amazing
Compelling translations of key Buddhist sutras with extensive commentary by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, whose gifts for simile and illuminating explication bring a rare clarity to these texts. Instead of reading cover to cover, a fruitful approach might be to slow down and really live with each sutra for awhile, appreciating the commentary not as definitive statements, but as catalysts for personal insight, deeper than language.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Andy Roberto
Feb 22, 2019Andy Roberto rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
A shining view
The loveliest and most delicate commentary on the primary sutras I have ever read. I read it again and again as my practice grows and find new details to meditate on every time.
flagLike · comment · see review
Andy Roberto
Feb 22, 2019Andy Roberto rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
A shining view
The loveliest and most delicate commentary on the primary sutras I have ever read. I read it again and again as my practice grows and find new details to meditate on every time.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
David K. Glidden
Apr 10, 2020David K. Glidden rated it it was amazing
This essential collection consists of the central Zen/Ch’an sutras with scholarly and mindful commentary.
flagLike · comment · see review
David K. Glidden
Apr 10, 2020David K. Glidden rated it it was amazing
This essential collection consists of the central Zen/Ch’an sutras with scholarly and mindful commentary.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Daisy
Nov 13, 2021Daisy rated it it was amazing
Great book for reference
flagLike · comment · see review
Daisy
Nov 13, 2021Daisy rated it it was amazing
Great book for reference
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Liam
Jul 09, 2021Liam added it
Lovely afternoon read
flagLike · comment · see review
Jim Scott
Jun 01, 2020Jim Scott rated it it was ok
Too complex for me; beyond my depth.
flagLike · comment · see review
Liam
Jul 09, 2021Liam added it
Lovely afternoon read
flagLike · comment · see review
Jim Scott
Jun 01, 2020Jim Scott rated it it was ok
Too complex for me; beyond my depth.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Sherry
Feb 13, 2019Sherry rated it it was amazing
Shelves: gift-somebody-loves-me, owned, meditation, thich-nhat-hanh, read-in-2019, thich-nhat-hanh-read
I’ve now read 17 books by Thích Nhat Hahn and having read this one I can see all the seeds of his teachings and feel my understanding of his teachings to have deepened. Highly recommended.
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
Sherry
Feb 13, 2019Sherry rated it it was amazing
Shelves: gift-somebody-loves-me, owned, meditation, thich-nhat-hanh, read-in-2019, thich-nhat-hanh-read
I’ve now read 17 books by Thích Nhat Hahn and having read this one I can see all the seeds of his teachings and feel my understanding of his teachings to have deepened. Highly recommended.
flag1 like · Like · comment · see review
==
Robert Hart
May 03, 2020Robert Hart rated it really liked it
Only for dedicated practitioners of Bhuddism, in my opinion. It will test one's patience. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Robert Hart
May 03, 2020Robert Hart rated it really liked it
Only for dedicated practitioners of Bhuddism, in my opinion. It will test one's patience. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Alycee Lane
Nov 22, 2015Alycee Lane rated it it was amazing
A clear and accessible analysis of nine essential Buddhist Sutras. Thich Nhat Hanh has a real gift for being able to explain difficult Buddhist principles (like those espoused in the Heart and Diamond sutras) in an engaging and simple way. I enjoyed this work and am sure I will return to it again and again.
flagLike · comment · see review
Alycee Lane
Nov 22, 2015Alycee Lane rated it it was amazing
A clear and accessible analysis of nine essential Buddhist Sutras. Thich Nhat Hanh has a real gift for being able to explain difficult Buddhist principles (like those espoused in the Heart and Diamond sutras) in an engaging and simple way. I enjoyed this work and am sure I will return to it again and again.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Alonzo
Sep 21, 2013Alonzo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: buddhism, mind, heart, sutras, heart-sutra, diamond-sutra, sutra-on-the-four-establishments-of, thich-nhat-hanh, to-read-again, reviewed
This has been a very useful and helpful book. I appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries on these key Mahayana Sutras. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Alonzo
Sep 21, 2013Alonzo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: buddhism, mind, heart, sutras, heart-sutra, diamond-sutra, sutra-on-the-four-establishments-of, thich-nhat-hanh, to-read-again, reviewed
This has been a very useful and helpful book. I appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries on these key Mahayana Sutras. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Kevin
Mar 21, 2015Kevin rated it it was amazing
Shelves: philosophy, religion-and-spirituality, unfinished, want-to-revisit
One of the wisest, most compassionate books I've ever read. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Ellen
Oct 07, 2013Ellen rated it it was amazing
Enjoyed this immensely .
flagLike · comment · see review
Kevin
Mar 21, 2015Kevin rated it it was amazing
Shelves: philosophy, religion-and-spirituality, unfinished, want-to-revisit
One of the wisest, most compassionate books I've ever read. (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Ellen
Oct 07, 2013Ellen rated it it was amazing
Enjoyed this immensely .
flagLike · comment · see review
==
Lynette Monteiro
May 13, 2012Lynette Monteiro rated it it was amazing
Shelves: zen, buddhism
Amazing detail. More a practice book than something to "read". (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Lynette Monteiro
May 13, 2012Lynette Monteiro rated it it was amazing
Shelves: zen, buddhism
Amazing detail. More a practice book than something to "read". (less)
flagLike · comment · see review
==
T.
Jul 11, 2013T. rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhist-books
Excellent book, one to read over and over.
flagLike · see review
T.
Jul 11, 2013T. rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhist-books
Excellent book, one to read over and over.
flagLike · see review
==
Thomas
Sep 13, 2014Thomas rated it it was amazing
Shelves: meditation
This book led me to a peaceful land. I was so happy reading this book.
flagLike · comment · see review
Thomas
Sep 13, 2014Thomas rated it it was amazing
Shelves: meditation
This book led me to a peaceful land. I was so happy reading this book.
flagLike · comment · see review
==
me
Apr 04, 2015me rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism
One of the best dharma books written.
flagLike · comment · see review
===
Top reviews from the United States
sd
5.0 out of 5 stars A cost-saving compilation
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Some of the sections are literally entire short books that he already published. I like it all in one place. However, I appreciate Thay's approach making smaller books with larger font. Feels less like a chore even if its the same information. As someone else put it as its a great reference book, and best to take it section by section versus trying to read it all at once. I could have saved some money if I bought this one first (beyond the self and the diamond that cuts are both here word for word) but I like the smaller books for a quick read. I also like "The Other Shore" as he did a newer translation of the Heart Sutra, which is more accessible and easier to study based on the structure. This book is like the omnibus that you need to have, but you'll still want the other books for ease and things like "the other shore" where there are some new insights
==
Rodney
5.0 out of 5 stars My go to daily reader for Thay's wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
I love Thay's wisdom. I read daily and find his wisdom very enlightening and encouraging. Short readings that I let soak in and grow with me all day long. My Yoga instructor has the same book and it has an appearance of being loved for years. She says it's her favorite inspirational daily reading and she reads them in class all the time as recommended daily intentions.
12 people found this helpful
==
P. Heimlich
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm very happy that I purchased it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've only read about 25% of the book so far. It's beautifully and thoughtfully written. And it's very informative and enlightening. I think it's one of Thich Nhat Hanh's best works. I'm very happy that I purchased it.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
Report abuse
Kristy M
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am just learning about Buddha and feel like this book is great for beginners wanting to learn more about meditation and Buddha teachings. I think it is also good for people who are just looking to read an inspiring artistic text.
Helpful
Report abuse
Phoenix Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Extensive
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
An extremely thorough and insightful text with great commentary from Thay.
One person found this helpful
==
Lorna A.
5.0 out of 5 stars I am studying the sutra's and TNH's commentaries on them ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am studying the sutra's and TNH's commentaries on them truly help me to get some understanding of them....this is a long time study.
==
John R
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text. Requires patience. Chapters on Catching A Poisonous Snake and Diamond Sutra recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
Well written.
One person found this helpful
==
Binh Truong
5.0 out of 5 stars Good seller
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
Good item, quick delivery
==
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Trevor Flaxman
4.0 out of 5 stars Sutra Study
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
A very good modern translation of some of the seminal Sutras from both Theravada and Mahayana traditions, can be used no matter what tradition you follow.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
K. M. Mcintosh
5.0 out of 5 stars Blessings in abundance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
A wonderful book that is uplifting and easy to understand. Easy help for daily living. Thank you to a dear teacher of the dharma.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
elcra1go
5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide x
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Love
Report abuse
Turgay Sigic
5.0 out of 5 stars Good commentary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Easy to comprehend good commentary
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
IC
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
good commentary on sutras
Report abuse
me
Apr 04, 2015me rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhism
One of the best dharma books written.
flagLike · comment · see review
===
Top reviews from the United States
sd
5.0 out of 5 stars A cost-saving compilation
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Some of the sections are literally entire short books that he already published. I like it all in one place. However, I appreciate Thay's approach making smaller books with larger font. Feels less like a chore even if its the same information. As someone else put it as its a great reference book, and best to take it section by section versus trying to read it all at once. I could have saved some money if I bought this one first (beyond the self and the diamond that cuts are both here word for word) but I like the smaller books for a quick read. I also like "The Other Shore" as he did a newer translation of the Heart Sutra, which is more accessible and easier to study based on the structure. This book is like the omnibus that you need to have, but you'll still want the other books for ease and things like "the other shore" where there are some new insights
==
Rodney
5.0 out of 5 stars My go to daily reader for Thay's wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
I love Thay's wisdom. I read daily and find his wisdom very enlightening and encouraging. Short readings that I let soak in and grow with me all day long. My Yoga instructor has the same book and it has an appearance of being loved for years. She says it's her favorite inspirational daily reading and she reads them in class all the time as recommended daily intentions.
12 people found this helpful
==
P. Heimlich
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm very happy that I purchased it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017
Verified Purchase
I've only read about 25% of the book so far. It's beautifully and thoughtfully written. And it's very informative and enlightening. I think it's one of Thich Nhat Hanh's best works. I'm very happy that I purchased it.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
Report abuse
Kristy M
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to understand
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am just learning about Buddha and feel like this book is great for beginners wanting to learn more about meditation and Buddha teachings. I think it is also good for people who are just looking to read an inspiring artistic text.
Helpful
Report abuse
Phoenix Reviewer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Extensive
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
An extremely thorough and insightful text with great commentary from Thay.
One person found this helpful
==
Lorna A.
5.0 out of 5 stars I am studying the sutra's and TNH's commentaries on them ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
I am studying the sutra's and TNH's commentaries on them truly help me to get some understanding of them....this is a long time study.
==
John R
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text. Requires patience. Chapters on Catching A Poisonous Snake and Diamond Sutra recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
Well written.
One person found this helpful
==
Binh Truong
5.0 out of 5 stars Good seller
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
Good item, quick delivery
==
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Trevor Flaxman
4.0 out of 5 stars Sutra Study
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
A very good modern translation of some of the seminal Sutras from both Theravada and Mahayana traditions, can be used no matter what tradition you follow.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
K. M. Mcintosh
5.0 out of 5 stars Blessings in abundance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
A wonderful book that is uplifting and easy to understand. Easy help for daily living. Thank you to a dear teacher of the dharma.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
elcra1go
5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide x
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Love
Report abuse
Turgay Sigic
5.0 out of 5 stars Good commentary
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2019
Verified Purchase
Easy to comprehend good commentary
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
IC
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
good commentary on sutras
Report abuse
