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The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism Paperback – March 1, 2016
by Kazuaki Tanahashi (Author), Roshi Joan Halifax (Contributor)
4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
Kindle
from $14.99Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$14.69
An illuminating in-depth study of one of the most well-known and recited Buddhist texts, by a renowned modern translator
Print length
288 pages
Review
"Kazuaki Tanahashi’s Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism delivers exactly what its subtitle promises—and much more. Most books on the sutra provide expositions of the by now well-known emptiness teachings (however much those teachings continue to resist our understanding). But such exposition, though lucidly present here, is the least of what this book offers. In addition, it traces the history of the text, its translation, and its dissemination throughout Asia and the West in ancient and modern times, and it includes a discussion of important and ground-breaking contemporary scholarship. It includes a biography of Xuanzhang, the sutra’s most famous Chinese translator, who famously journeyed to India to find it, as well as the recounting of a contemporary pilgrimage to a Korean monastery to see the oldest existing woodblock prints of the text. Its longest section is a line-by-line comparison of versions of the text in English and several Asian languages, full of useful nuance. In short, this astonishing work of loving scholarship, written with Kaz’s usual deft touch, is a must-have for any serious Dharma student.”
—Zoketsu Norman Fischer, poet and Zen priest, author of Escape This Crazy Life of Tears and Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong
"For all who love the Dharma, Kaz’s study of the Heart Sutra is a true boon—it serves us as introduction, history, toolbox, and treasure chest of teachings. It reads as a love story, a detective story, and yet it is a stunning scholarly resource. As inspiration, as reference, as deep study, this work is unsurpassable!”
—Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, author of Most Intimate: A Zen Approach to Life’s Challenges
About the Author
KAZUAKI TANAHASHI is the author, translator, and editor of numerous books, including Brush Mind; Sky Above, Great Wind; and several collections of the works of Eihei Dogen, including the monumental Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen’s Shobo Genzo. He is also a renowned calligraphic artist and teacher whose works have been exhibited throughout the world. He lives in Berkeley, California.
Product details
Publisher : Shambhala; Illustrated edition (March 1, 2016)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
Top reviews from the United States
initself
5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and detailed worked with secret, unique gemsReviewed in the United States on March 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
Tanahashi's fine book detailing the genesis, development and spread of the Heart Sutra's deep, concise message around the world is first and foremost a scholarly effort with an exceptional attention to detail. Yet it also clear that the author has cultivated his own personal relationship to and love with the Heart Sutra and for me, that's what is most compelling about wading my way through its pages. It is filled with so many substantial historical, archaeological and linguistic factoids that it is certainly hard to commit them to memory in a single reading. But when a special gem appears, either by footnote or otherwise, that really helps those interested in unlocking the meaning behind the text, it makes the effort of navigating this text worthwhile.
Certain instances come to mind:
- In the chapter entitled "Scientific Thinking", there is a wonderful summary of the author's private conversation with astrophysicist Piet Hut in 2013 that outlines what science, modern and otherwise, knows today about the objective nature of Reality and how a new science taking into account "subjects" and "interactions between subjects and objects" is needed in order to start approaching the the levels discovered by spiritual seekers.
- All of the etymological gems throughout the "Terms and Concepts" chapter, allowing for multiple and layered interpretations of the text.
- Bernie Glassman's explanation of "doing" and "being" prajnaparamita.
- The conversation regarding back-translation to Sanskit, which potentially grounds the foundation of the Chinese Xuanzang translation now spread all over most of the world as the preeminent translation.
- Correspondences with Nepalese monks, one of a kind.
For me, there is a lot of Zen in Red Pine's translation and it might be all one would ever need on the proverbial desert island. But without Tanahashi's effort, placing this miracle of a text into a human context, there might be some lingering doubts about whether or not The Heart Sutra is the desert island pick for everyone. I am much more inspired in my practice having read it.
13 people found this helpful
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T
5.0 out of 5 stars Like The Swerve, but for the Heart SutraReviewed in the United States on May 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
I wasn’t a fan of the new translation, but the appendix of other translations is not to have. The history was helpful and compelling. I think of this book standing to the Heart Sutra as The Swerve did to De Rarum Natura. It’s always fun to learn how a text came to reach you.
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Fu Xi
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fresh translation of this, probably the ...Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is a fresh translation of this, probably the most valued and famous of all Buddhist texts. There are significant changes, with phrases such as 'Wisdom beyond wisdom' in the title; 'boundlessness; for 'emptiness;' While I still prefer the more traditional translations, this one provides a new perspective and thus to my mind is essential reading for all interested in the Hridaya Prajna Paramita Sutra. Given the koan-like obscurity of this sutra, new ways of reading it are always of value. For me, its value is as a stimulus to concentration and the sense that the essential core of Buddhist teaching - 'Hinayana' as much as Mahayana can be found by this contemplation..
This edition also contains extensive commentary, including the discussion of Buddhologist Jan Nattier's theory that the original was in Chinese rather than Sanskrit. An appendix includes many other translations, as well as versions in Chinese and other languages.
This is not the definitive work on the Heart Sutra, because its truth is boundless and no work can fully expound its essence.
For those unfamiliar with the Heart Sutra, i would suggest reading one of the standard translations first, conveniently available in the appendix, then the new one for additional perspectives.
10 people found this helpful
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B. Shane
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging account of Heart Sutra journeyReviewed in the United States on September 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Tanahashi’s account of his journey through the seminal Buddhist teaching is thorough and engaging. His erudite exegesis is balanced nicely by stories of his personal encounters with the sutra.
HelpfulReport abuse
Steve Lowry
4.0 out of 5 stars Kazuaki Tanahashi is a fine scholar and translatorReviewed in the United States on August 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
Kazuaki Tanahashi is a fine scholar and translator, and this work exemplifies the care and attention he has given to this. The Heart Sutra, as we know, is the most widely revered and practiced text of Mahayana Buddhism. It captures the heart of the Wisdom realizing emptiness, and is spoken through Avolokitishivara, Bodhisattva of compassion, so the union of wisdom and compassion at the core of Mahayana is expressed.
It seems I have heard this sutra chanted by so many different lineages, in many differing forms for the years I have been around Buddhists.
In recent years many excellent teachers have brought out commentaries on this sutra.
Here Kaz, as he is known, adds his thorough research to this mix, as well as his own translation.
What I missed was the imagination and fervour I've found in many of these other commentaries. This is certainly a work of love for them all, but some, to me, rise above scholarship and historical precision to wrap the chanting heart in the flames of this powerful acclamation of perfect understanding. Just before his recent stroke Thich Nhat Hanh composed a beautiful new version, full of heart. I missed that in this book. But the scholarship is part of a more holistic view of where this incantation of joy and love rise in the history of developing buddhism in China and India as the mahayana rolled like a great wave through the region in the early centuries of the common era. This is a living tradition, we ride the wave still.
So cheers to Master Tanahashi, superb calligrapher and linguist. Not as heart touching, but adding historical clarity and precision. Well spent is the time given to reading the fruits of his own loving work.
8 people found this helpful
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follower
4.0 out of 5 stars You are a Process natural a thingReviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Heart Sutra presents a stimulation of thought that reveals ones true essence without demeaning nature of physicality by revealing it's foundation not standing on bone, blood and air.
One person found this helpful
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curwada
4.0 out of 5 stars Initial translations to english from AsiaReviewed in the United States on November 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
All translations are beautiful. This journey carried me and helped me in conjunction with "the other shore". I wanted a "japanese yet modern translation" and this is what worked. These are words that came to north america. Some of the first words that struggled to bring Buddhism from Asia to the West.
2 people found this helpful
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a reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2018
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Very good
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Jayarava
2.0 out of 5 stars Better than previous commentaries, but still deeply flawed.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
I study this text. I've personally transcribed most of the Sanskrit manuscripts that Conze used for his 1948 edition (revised in 1967). I've blogged on this text more than 20 times. My first peer reviewed article on the Heart Sutra was published in August 2015. As such I am more than averagely interested in this text.
On first impression this book looks pretty good. It seems to be well written and thoughtful. There's a bit more history than you get with most books, though it still lacks enough about the sect that the Prajnaparamita was reacting to (esp. the Sarvastivada) to really make sense of the approach taken in negating categories. I don't particularly like the new "translation" by the author and his collaborator - it's more of an interpretation than a translation and an interpretation based on a Zen ideology. Unfortunately the author, like his predecessors, has failed to fully grasp the implications of Jan Nattier's watershed 1992 article on the authorship and chronology of the text. This may be because establishment figures in Japan, such as the influential Fukui Fumimasa, reacted negatively to the Nattier article. Tanahashi mistakenly refers to T250 as "the alpha version", it is not. Also it's a bad misrepresentation to refer to Conze's edition as "the Nepalese version" - Conze used Nepalese, Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan sources for his edition. The Nepalese manuscripts were only *copied* in Nepal and they were copying Indian texts.
The word by word commentary is OK, though confused by discussing so many variants at once. There is a major error wrt sections 7 and 8. Tanahashi has mistaken which of the Sanskrit phrases is left out of the canonical version, which leads to some erroneous comments in the part of the book which discuss these (e.g. p.161-2). The commentary on the Sanskrit text is frequently inaccurate, as on pg 193 when it describes mantra as "related to the verb mant'". The word 'mant'' is an agent noun meaning 'one who thinks'. The verb is 'manyate'. And this is just after he has written that the verb is 'man' - the verbal root is ''man', the verb is 'manyate'. Clearly the author doesn't know Sanskrit at all well and is relying on 3rd party explanations which let him down. Another example is the elaborate explanation of the verb 'pasyati' when it simply means 'to see' (p.156). The explanations of grammar are especially weak: a sentence cannot start with "ca" for example (p.155); and though 'sma' does indicate a past tense, it's often used for the historical present which is more appropriate here. It's a puzzle that the publishers did not get a Sanskrit scholar to check and remove basic errors, because this would have improved the book considerably.
The attempt to include many language versions and translations in a book for English speakers is misguided. The Vietnamese for example is of no real interest (the elaborate diacritics of Romanised Vietnamese are not explained leaving the reader puzzling over them), let alone the Mongolian. Likewise for the multiple English translations. This part of the book lacks focus. All that's really needed is one translation of the Chinese, one of Sanskrit, and perhaps one of Tibetan. Most of the other texts are simply variations on the Chinese and could be left out without losing any overall coherence. It seems that not enough critical thought was given to presenting a barrage of information in a way that could be digested. The author just crams everything in. It's a wasted effort.
This book is certainly better than the other Zen inspired commentaries that are available, but it is still a Zen inspired commentary. It only tells us about how the Japanese Zen world interpret the text in the present, it doesn't tell us much about how the authors of the text saw it. The pretence to Sanskrit scholarship is perplexing - Tanahashi is clearly at sea with simple Sanskrit, but seems to be presenting himself as qualified to comment on and translate the Sanskrit. That he did not see the simple grammatical error in the first sentence of Conze's text is a good test - anyone who overlooks it is not qualified to translate the text (which sadly to date includes more or less everyone).
Ultimately this book is a disappointment. I more I look at it the more errors of language and logic I find in it. My initial enthusiasm has more or less evaporated in light of the many problems that have emerged. It promises too much and delivers too little, and much of that confused and erroneous.
Read more
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine workReviewed in India on November 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Informative work on one of the greatest sutras we have.
I would have liked a clearer layout of the word by word analysis of the Sanskrit, the different translations and transliterations contained at the end like an appendix. It is really the heart of the importance of the Sutra for practical use rather than the story of its geographical journey.
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Tao
2.0 out of 5 stars I purchased this thinking it might add to to the ...Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
I purchased this thinking it might add to to the heart of the heart. This is less of a comprehensive guide and more of an interest to those who study Buddhism as a theology. If you are looking for translation to help your own studies then don't buy this.
2 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Patrick Doyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in Canada on September 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good scholarship.
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Listen
The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism Paperback – March 1, 2016
by Kazuaki Tanahashi (Author), Roshi Joan Halifax (Contributor)
4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
Kindle
from $14.99Read with Our Free App
Paperback
$14.69
An illuminating in-depth study of one of the most well-known and recited Buddhist texts, by a renowned modern translator
Print length
288 pages
Review
"Kazuaki Tanahashi’s Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism delivers exactly what its subtitle promises—and much more. Most books on the sutra provide expositions of the by now well-known emptiness teachings (however much those teachings continue to resist our understanding). But such exposition, though lucidly present here, is the least of what this book offers. In addition, it traces the history of the text, its translation, and its dissemination throughout Asia and the West in ancient and modern times, and it includes a discussion of important and ground-breaking contemporary scholarship. It includes a biography of Xuanzhang, the sutra’s most famous Chinese translator, who famously journeyed to India to find it, as well as the recounting of a contemporary pilgrimage to a Korean monastery to see the oldest existing woodblock prints of the text. Its longest section is a line-by-line comparison of versions of the text in English and several Asian languages, full of useful nuance. In short, this astonishing work of loving scholarship, written with Kaz’s usual deft touch, is a must-have for any serious Dharma student.”
—Zoketsu Norman Fischer, poet and Zen priest, author of Escape This Crazy Life of Tears and Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong
"For all who love the Dharma, Kaz’s study of the Heart Sutra is a true boon—it serves us as introduction, history, toolbox, and treasure chest of teachings. It reads as a love story, a detective story, and yet it is a stunning scholarly resource. As inspiration, as reference, as deep study, this work is unsurpassable!”
—Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, author of Most Intimate: A Zen Approach to Life’s Challenges
About the Author
KAZUAKI TANAHASHI is the author, translator, and editor of numerous books, including Brush Mind; Sky Above, Great Wind; and several collections of the works of Eihei Dogen, including the monumental Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen’s Shobo Genzo. He is also a renowned calligraphic artist and teacher whose works have been exhibited throughout the world. He lives in Berkeley, California.
Product details
Publisher : Shambhala; Illustrated edition (March 1, 2016)
Language : English
Paperback : 288 pages
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 105 ratings
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
Top reviews from the United States
initself
5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly and detailed worked with secret, unique gemsReviewed in the United States on March 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
Tanahashi's fine book detailing the genesis, development and spread of the Heart Sutra's deep, concise message around the world is first and foremost a scholarly effort with an exceptional attention to detail. Yet it also clear that the author has cultivated his own personal relationship to and love with the Heart Sutra and for me, that's what is most compelling about wading my way through its pages. It is filled with so many substantial historical, archaeological and linguistic factoids that it is certainly hard to commit them to memory in a single reading. But when a special gem appears, either by footnote or otherwise, that really helps those interested in unlocking the meaning behind the text, it makes the effort of navigating this text worthwhile.
Certain instances come to mind:
- In the chapter entitled "Scientific Thinking", there is a wonderful summary of the author's private conversation with astrophysicist Piet Hut in 2013 that outlines what science, modern and otherwise, knows today about the objective nature of Reality and how a new science taking into account "subjects" and "interactions between subjects and objects" is needed in order to start approaching the the levels discovered by spiritual seekers.
- All of the etymological gems throughout the "Terms and Concepts" chapter, allowing for multiple and layered interpretations of the text.
- Bernie Glassman's explanation of "doing" and "being" prajnaparamita.
- The conversation regarding back-translation to Sanskit, which potentially grounds the foundation of the Chinese Xuanzang translation now spread all over most of the world as the preeminent translation.
- Correspondences with Nepalese monks, one of a kind.
For me, there is a lot of Zen in Red Pine's translation and it might be all one would ever need on the proverbial desert island. But without Tanahashi's effort, placing this miracle of a text into a human context, there might be some lingering doubts about whether or not The Heart Sutra is the desert island pick for everyone. I am much more inspired in my practice having read it.
13 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
T
5.0 out of 5 stars Like The Swerve, but for the Heart SutraReviewed in the United States on May 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
I wasn’t a fan of the new translation, but the appendix of other translations is not to have. The history was helpful and compelling. I think of this book standing to the Heart Sutra as The Swerve did to De Rarum Natura. It’s always fun to learn how a text came to reach you.
HelpfulReport abuse
Fu Xi
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fresh translation of this, probably the ...Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is a fresh translation of this, probably the most valued and famous of all Buddhist texts. There are significant changes, with phrases such as 'Wisdom beyond wisdom' in the title; 'boundlessness; for 'emptiness;' While I still prefer the more traditional translations, this one provides a new perspective and thus to my mind is essential reading for all interested in the Hridaya Prajna Paramita Sutra. Given the koan-like obscurity of this sutra, new ways of reading it are always of value. For me, its value is as a stimulus to concentration and the sense that the essential core of Buddhist teaching - 'Hinayana' as much as Mahayana can be found by this contemplation..
This edition also contains extensive commentary, including the discussion of Buddhologist Jan Nattier's theory that the original was in Chinese rather than Sanskrit. An appendix includes many other translations, as well as versions in Chinese and other languages.
This is not the definitive work on the Heart Sutra, because its truth is boundless and no work can fully expound its essence.
For those unfamiliar with the Heart Sutra, i would suggest reading one of the standard translations first, conveniently available in the appendix, then the new one for additional perspectives.
10 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
B. Shane
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging account of Heart Sutra journeyReviewed in the United States on September 2, 2021
Verified Purchase
Tanahashi’s account of his journey through the seminal Buddhist teaching is thorough and engaging. His erudite exegesis is balanced nicely by stories of his personal encounters with the sutra.
HelpfulReport abuse
Steve Lowry
4.0 out of 5 stars Kazuaki Tanahashi is a fine scholar and translatorReviewed in the United States on August 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
Kazuaki Tanahashi is a fine scholar and translator, and this work exemplifies the care and attention he has given to this. The Heart Sutra, as we know, is the most widely revered and practiced text of Mahayana Buddhism. It captures the heart of the Wisdom realizing emptiness, and is spoken through Avolokitishivara, Bodhisattva of compassion, so the union of wisdom and compassion at the core of Mahayana is expressed.
It seems I have heard this sutra chanted by so many different lineages, in many differing forms for the years I have been around Buddhists.
In recent years many excellent teachers have brought out commentaries on this sutra.
Here Kaz, as he is known, adds his thorough research to this mix, as well as his own translation.
What I missed was the imagination and fervour I've found in many of these other commentaries. This is certainly a work of love for them all, but some, to me, rise above scholarship and historical precision to wrap the chanting heart in the flames of this powerful acclamation of perfect understanding. Just before his recent stroke Thich Nhat Hanh composed a beautiful new version, full of heart. I missed that in this book. But the scholarship is part of a more holistic view of where this incantation of joy and love rise in the history of developing buddhism in China and India as the mahayana rolled like a great wave through the region in the early centuries of the common era. This is a living tradition, we ride the wave still.
So cheers to Master Tanahashi, superb calligrapher and linguist. Not as heart touching, but adding historical clarity and precision. Well spent is the time given to reading the fruits of his own loving work.
8 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
follower
4.0 out of 5 stars You are a Process natural a thingReviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Heart Sutra presents a stimulation of thought that reveals ones true essence without demeaning nature of physicality by revealing it's foundation not standing on bone, blood and air.
One person found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
curwada
4.0 out of 5 stars Initial translations to english from AsiaReviewed in the United States on November 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
All translations are beautiful. This journey carried me and helped me in conjunction with "the other shore". I wanted a "japanese yet modern translation" and this is what worked. These are words that came to north america. Some of the first words that struggled to bring Buddhism from Asia to the West.
2 people found this helpful
HelpfulReport abuse
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
a reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
Very good
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Jayarava
2.0 out of 5 stars Better than previous commentaries, but still deeply flawed.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2015
Verified Purchase
I study this text. I've personally transcribed most of the Sanskrit manuscripts that Conze used for his 1948 edition (revised in 1967). I've blogged on this text more than 20 times. My first peer reviewed article on the Heart Sutra was published in August 2015. As such I am more than averagely interested in this text.
On first impression this book looks pretty good. It seems to be well written and thoughtful. There's a bit more history than you get with most books, though it still lacks enough about the sect that the Prajnaparamita was reacting to (esp. the Sarvastivada) to really make sense of the approach taken in negating categories. I don't particularly like the new "translation" by the author and his collaborator - it's more of an interpretation than a translation and an interpretation based on a Zen ideology. Unfortunately the author, like his predecessors, has failed to fully grasp the implications of Jan Nattier's watershed 1992 article on the authorship and chronology of the text. This may be because establishment figures in Japan, such as the influential Fukui Fumimasa, reacted negatively to the Nattier article. Tanahashi mistakenly refers to T250 as "the alpha version", it is not. Also it's a bad misrepresentation to refer to Conze's edition as "the Nepalese version" - Conze used Nepalese, Japanese, Chinese and Tibetan sources for his edition. The Nepalese manuscripts were only *copied* in Nepal and they were copying Indian texts.
The word by word commentary is OK, though confused by discussing so many variants at once. There is a major error wrt sections 7 and 8. Tanahashi has mistaken which of the Sanskrit phrases is left out of the canonical version, which leads to some erroneous comments in the part of the book which discuss these (e.g. p.161-2). The commentary on the Sanskrit text is frequently inaccurate, as on pg 193 when it describes mantra as "related to the verb mant'". The word 'mant'' is an agent noun meaning 'one who thinks'. The verb is 'manyate'. And this is just after he has written that the verb is 'man' - the verbal root is ''man', the verb is 'manyate'. Clearly the author doesn't know Sanskrit at all well and is relying on 3rd party explanations which let him down. Another example is the elaborate explanation of the verb 'pasyati' when it simply means 'to see' (p.156). The explanations of grammar are especially weak: a sentence cannot start with "ca" for example (p.155); and though 'sma' does indicate a past tense, it's often used for the historical present which is more appropriate here. It's a puzzle that the publishers did not get a Sanskrit scholar to check and remove basic errors, because this would have improved the book considerably.
The attempt to include many language versions and translations in a book for English speakers is misguided. The Vietnamese for example is of no real interest (the elaborate diacritics of Romanised Vietnamese are not explained leaving the reader puzzling over them), let alone the Mongolian. Likewise for the multiple English translations. This part of the book lacks focus. All that's really needed is one translation of the Chinese, one of Sanskrit, and perhaps one of Tibetan. Most of the other texts are simply variations on the Chinese and could be left out without losing any overall coherence. It seems that not enough critical thought was given to presenting a barrage of information in a way that could be digested. The author just crams everything in. It's a wasted effort.
This book is certainly better than the other Zen inspired commentaries that are available, but it is still a Zen inspired commentary. It only tells us about how the Japanese Zen world interpret the text in the present, it doesn't tell us much about how the authors of the text saw it. The pretence to Sanskrit scholarship is perplexing - Tanahashi is clearly at sea with simple Sanskrit, but seems to be presenting himself as qualified to comment on and translate the Sanskrit. That he did not see the simple grammatical error in the first sentence of Conze's text is a good test - anyone who overlooks it is not qualified to translate the text (which sadly to date includes more or less everyone).
Ultimately this book is a disappointment. I more I look at it the more errors of language and logic I find in it. My initial enthusiasm has more or less evaporated in light of the many problems that have emerged. It promises too much and delivers too little, and much of that confused and erroneous.
Read more
20 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A fine workReviewed in India on November 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Informative work on one of the greatest sutras we have.
I would have liked a clearer layout of the word by word analysis of the Sanskrit, the different translations and transliterations contained at the end like an appendix. It is really the heart of the importance of the Sutra for practical use rather than the story of its geographical journey.
Report abuse
Tao
2.0 out of 5 stars I purchased this thinking it might add to to the ...Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2016
Verified Purchase
I purchased this thinking it might add to to the heart of the heart. This is less of a comprehensive guide and more of an interest to those who study Buddhism as a theology. If you are looking for translation to help your own studies then don't buy this.
2 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Patrick Doyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in Canada on September 8, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good scholarship.
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The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism
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The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism
by Kazuaki Tanahashi, Joan Halifax (Contributor)
4.16 · Rating details · 153 ratings · 17 reviews
An illuminating in-depth study of one of the most well-known and recited of all the Buddhist texts--by the renowned modern translator.
The Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra is among the best known of all the Buddhist scriptures. Chanted daily by many Zen practitioners, it is also studied extensively in the Tibetan tradition, and it has been regarded with interest more recently in the West in various fields of study—from philosophy to quantum physics. In just a few lines, it expresses the truth of impermanence and the release of suffering that results from the understanding of that truth with a breathtaking economy of language. Kazuaki Tanahashi’s guide to the Heart Sutra is the result of a life spent working with it and living it. He outlines the history and meaning of the text and then analyzes it line by line in its various forms (Sanskrit, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Tibetan, Mongolian, and various key English translations), providing a deeper understanding of the history and etymology of the elusive words than is generally available to the nonspecialist—yet with a clear emphasis on the relevance of the text to practice. This book includes a fresh and meticulous new translation of the text by the author and Roshi Joan Halifax. (less)
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Hardcover, 240 pages
Published January 13th 2015 by Shambhala (first published May 13th 2014)
ISBN161180096X (ISBN13: 9781611800968)
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withdrawn
Feb 06, 2021withdrawn rated it liked it
Shelves: china, philosophy-asia, buddhism
I’m certain that there are editions of The Heart Sutra more suited to my needs and tastes. I should be more careful in choosing. This edition is too Zen, too touchy-feely, and too California for my liking. I’ll try again some time in the future with a different edition.
I should note that my “good” rating is due to some interesting historical stuff included in the book.
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retroj
Jul 11, 2016retroj rated it really liked it
Shelves: history, philosophy, reviewed
This book is a new English translation and in-depth exposition of the Heart Sutra, a foundational work of Mahayana Buddhism and a major work of human thought on the Buddhist concept of emptiness. In a scholarly, thorough, and loving treatment of the topic, Tanahashi guides us through the history of the sutra, theories of its shrouded origin, the history of its many translations and translators, its spread throughout Asia and the world, and its role in contemporary Buddhism. We learn the context of its expressions and how to interpret its ambiguities. Tanahashi analyzes the text at different levels and from different cultural and linguistic perspectives, down to a comprehensive word by word analysis of the major translations, including the present one. This last part was admittedly a little tedious, but having read it (and it didn't take all that long, really) it becomes a valuable reference to the sutra.
Especially fascinating for me were the deep etymological connections between English and Sanskrit, like how jna in prajna relates to gnosis, to know, or how hridaya relates to kardia, heart. Knowing a bit of Chinese helped me get more out of the translation sections than I otherwise would have. I am deeply impressed with Tanahashi's knowledge of Sanskrit, Chinese, English, and other languages. He and Joan Halifax have worked a marvelous translation and backed every choice with evidence, sensibility, and grace.
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Leanne
Mar 20, 2020Leanne rated it it was amazing
This is my favorite reference to the Heart Sutra. It is not only my favorite translation of the sutra, but the writing was surprisingly engaging. I was expecting a dry or academic translation of the sutra but what I found was a highly engaging and --yes-- warm re-telling and explanation of the sutra.
It was not clear if Joan H was his wife, if she translated the entire book or just gave help with the sutra. Maybe I missed the explanation but I was not clear about her role.
This book makes the sut ...more
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Jampa
Jan 29, 2015Jampa rated it it was amazing
Shelves: emptiness, buddhism
This is a wonderful and thorough addition to the body of work on this profound text. I have studied and recited this text for many years and there is always a new revelation, whether intellectually or through a glimpse of wisdom beyond wisdom. Kazuaki Tanahashi's collection of the different translations is remarkable and a tremendous gift. His line by line, word for word translation is invaluable and a tremendous addition to understanding the sutra. Deeply grateful to Kazuaki Tanahashi. (less)
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Natú
Dec 05, 2021Natú rated it it was amazing
This is the kind of book you want to have on your shelf as a reference to come back to. It is an interesting combination: a new translation of the Heart Sutra by Tanahashi and Roshi Joan Halifax with commentary from the former, a history of Xuanzang's life and travels, a travelogue detailing the author's pilgrimages surrounding the Heart Sutra, a linguistic anthropological detective case trying to uncover the real story of the Heart Sutra's origin and transmission, and a line-by-line etymological analysis of the Hridaya, shedding light on not only Tanahashi and Halifax's (very approachable) translation, but on some of the other most famous English-language translations thrown in as a bonus. For the lay practitioner or enthusiast, it's a book that keeps on giving, but would certainly be a good buy for even experts on the text.
Tanahashi spends a good chunk of the text exploring the history of the sutra itself, looking at the principal extant sources, and discussing the controversy caused by Nattier's article claiming the Heart Sutra to be a Chinese text translated later into Sanskrit. While some scholars, including Red Pine, take umbrage with Nattier's thesis (though she refutes the claim that her argument implies the text would hold less legitimacy even if apocryphal), Tanahashi largely agrees with it, but uses textual comparison alongside the historical record to forward a possible different chrolonogy of Prajna Paramita literature and the Heart Sutra.
The part of the book that looks at the history of the Heart Sutra's transmission is a charming mix of Tanahashi's personal travels to Korea and Japan visiting places of particular import, and brief histories of figures like Xuanzang and Kumarajiva. Tanahashi's reverence for the Heart Sutra is infectious, and the personal impact of his experiences are palpable. The light-hearted register Tanahashi dips into balances out the high holy vibes of other moments and gives a deep sense of humanity to the monastics and fellow lay practitioners he interacts with along the way. One particularly charming moment to me was:
That afternoon, we climbed up the steep granite stairs in the back of the Buddha Hall. I told him that I was doing research on the Heart Sutra. He smiled and said, “Oh, the Heart Sutra is the most important sutra in Korea. Do you understand the sutra?” “I hope so.” “My teacher says if you understand the Heart Sutra, you understand the entire buddha dharma.” Quickly recalling my previous statement, I said, “In that case I must say I don’t understand the Heart Sutra.” We laughed.
The final textual analysis is perhaps more useful for serious scholars and practitioners, but I eat that stuff up and quite appreciate the quickly-accessible explanations of Sanskrit terms that get bandied about so much, without most of us perhaps having a full grasp of their origins or meanings.
Definitely a great resource that can be read in many ways to suit different readers' wishes. Highly recommended, and while you're at it, check out Sensei Kaz's beautiful ensō as well. (less)
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Kenny
Jun 19, 2018Kenny rated it really liked it
The Heart Sutra was always a puzzle to me, hearing multiple Zen teachers say it encapsulates everything you really need to know about (Mahayana) Buddhism, and yet it's pretty much impossible to understand on your first reading and still difficult to understand on your 100th. I read this book to try and resolve that issue.
The author's + editor's alternate translation of the sutra (which can be easily found online) was pretty mindblowing in helping me with that. Of course, it's still hard to understand and perhaps can't really be 100% understood. The first chapters of the book also do a great job of explaining the sutra, followed by some chapters about its history which may seem optional, but I think it's important when approaching ANY written work to understand the context where it was written.
The middle of the book is mostly about specific translations, whether or not the sutra was first written in Chinese and backtranslated to Sanskrit, and details about particular editions or printings. I would skip this part if this doesn't excite you.
The chapter about the scientific significance of the sutra should not be skipped, in fact I would have preferred it to be in the front of the book.
Finally, the end goes through the sutra line-by-line and compares various translations. This was worthwhile but you could probably skip it if you aren't a big language nerd, or aren't devoted to the sutra in a way where this comparative study would help you. (less)
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James
Jan 20, 2021James rated it it was ok
Shelves: buddhisty-stuff
Hmm. I listened to the audio book. In my view definitely not the best way to "read" this type of book. I would have helped to have a pdf of the author's translation so it could be considered in depth.
Anyway, I didn't get the feeling that there was a personal understanding of the Heart Sutra. I am not suggesting the author isn't familiar with the message of the Heart Sutra, just that it didn't come across for me. In short, I felt the book was a bit light. As was the description of why some words/expressions were used in translation rather than others.
There was some good moments, and the scholarship regarding the background of the sutra seemed comprehensive, but that is not an area I am knowledgeable about. Overall, it was ok, but I wouldn't recommend it. (less)
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hoffnarr
Oct 25, 2019hoffnarr rated it liked it
Nice to have as a reference text if the text is important in your religious practice and the terms and concepts section is handy, but a rather strange book in terms of structure. The new translation of the sutra provided is informative but I’m not sure “boundless” is necessarily an improvement over “emptiness” and certainly reads less smoothly than either Suzuki or Conze translations. Still, I learnt a fair deal.
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Jason Gregory
Jan 23, 2017Jason Gregory rated it it was amazing
This book is the most thorough on the background of the Heart Sutra. Tanahashi goes to great lengths to trace the history of the Heart Sutra and explain the lives of its authors and many translations. It is quite amazing how Tanahashi put this all together, but somehow he did. If you are a student of Mahayana Buddhism or have a general interest in the Heart Sutra, you cannot go past this book.
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Zack Becker
Sep 30, 2017Zack Becker rated it it was amazing
Kaz Tanahashi reveals himself as an astute scholar, historian and linguist in this remarkable book. Although it can read a bit dry at times, interested readers will get a deep dive into the history of the "Heart Sutra" and the linguistic choices Kaz and his collaborator Joan Hallifax made when producing their new, illuminating translation. A must read for serious Buddhist studies students. (less)
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Levas
May 04, 2019Levas rated it liked it
There are highly valuable parts for linguists, scientists, historians etc. And it is interesting to some degree go get more knowledgeable in the regard on how the heart sutra possibly evolved in between regions, translations etc., but this is it. Is it enough or not, it is up to reader.
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Ric Dragon
Jul 18, 2020Ric Dragon rated it it was amazing
A wonderful bit of scholarly study. Was hoping for more discussion of the substance of the sutra itself - but am glad for reading it, and understanding it better from a historical viewpoint.
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Ric Poh Peng Wang
Jul 24, 2018Ric Poh Peng Wang rated it really liked it
A pretty interesting read of the history of the heart sutra - the explanation was a little complicated but nevertheless a good read for one who wants to understand the heart sutra better, deeper.
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Nick
Sep 02, 2016Nick added it
Shelves: buddhism-meditation
See Jayarava's review:
http://jayarava.blogspot.com/2016/03/...
"People often ask me what book I would recommend and I keep having to say that I cannot recommend any book on the Heart Sutra. Indeed I find myself warning people not to read books. Don't read Red Pine, for example. Don't read Conze, D T Suzuki, or Mu Seong. Don't, because the books are poorly researched and written. They won't help you understand the text or put the words into practice and they will certainly mislead you in ways that will be difficult to detect if you don't read Sanskrit and (Buddhist) Chinese. I haven't read commentaries by the Dalai Lama or Thich Nhat Hanh, but going on the latter's translation I would not recommend him either. One is probably better off not reading this book either. [...] I've written nearly 30 essays on the Heart Sutra and related texts covering certain details of the text, but a truly comprehensive, critical study of the Heart Sutra in its own right as a Prajñaparamita text, sadly does not yet exist. Quiet surprising given the manifest popularity of the text." (less)
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Greg Schmidt
Apr 13, 2016Greg Schmidt rated it it was amazing
Shelves: buddhist-studies
In depth study of the Heart Sutra and it's origins.
The inclusion of multiple versions in multiple languages as an appendix is incredibly helpful when attempting to understand the evolution of this text.
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