Essence of the Heart Sutra

The Dalai Lama's Heart of Wisdom Teachings

By: Tenzin Gyatso the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Geshe Thupten Jinpa - translator and editor

Narrated by: Gabra Zackman

Length: 3 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

For more than 2,000 years, the Heart Sutra has been part of the daily life of millions of Buddhists. This concise text, so rich and laden with meaning, concentrates the very heart of Buddhism into a powerful and evocative teaching on the interdependence of all reality.

In Essence of the Heart Sutra, the Dalai Lama masterfully unpacks the Heart Sutra so that any listener can benefit from its teachings - teachings meant to help us release ourselves from suffering and live with true compassion.

Comprised of his "Heart of Wisdom" talks originally delivered to thousands of listeners in 2001, the book offers the Dalai Lama's commentary as well as his easy-to-follow overview of Buddhist philosophy that places the sutra within its historical and philosophical context.

With additional contributions by scholar and translator Thupten Jinpa, Essence of the Heart Sutra is the authoritative presentation of a text seminal to the world's religious heritage.

©2005 Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Precious teachings!

The most accessible overview of the Mahayana path and the doctrine of emptiness I've received to date. I use the term "accessible" in a relative sense; this teaching is not for the casual reader.

Exactly what I needed this is because that is!

I loved it I loved hearing the Dalai Lama's views and thoughts. As they they pertain to the current state of today's needed information that is current and up-to-date. As well the practices that are feasible for use in every practitioners path. beginner or skilled. As it's my 5th time listening to this! I'll listen to it many many more times. With Each new listening. Absorbing something new within Each In Breath and Each Out Breath. AS ONE .🙏 OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI ONENESS LOVE AND RESPECT.🙏 TO ALL.😇

Compelling with a few dry moments

The Dalai Lama is a great teacher and a wealth of knowledge. Keeping in tone with his usual writing style the Dalai Lama share a lot of history and supporting information in this book. I personally get lost in the information and usually have to restart chapters to capture any missed information.

This may book should also be read because it is informative like a school textbook.

The Narrator Gabra Zackman did an excellent job of accomplishing the difficult task of pronouncing all the names of the ancient Buddhist teachers and their language.

The narrator... sounds like a cutthroat lawyer...

The ice cold pretentiousness, to shades of pure indifference. When someone told this narrator to read this book, I dont think they meant outloud, or to others.

Insightful

This book (emptiness really) has provided added perspective for me personally into ever day events

Helpful!

The Dalai Lama explicated the Heart Sutra. I chant it every day — this made my practice more meaningful. Gassho!

Precious teaching, requires concentration.

In the hands of this expressionless reader, the incredibly profound gift of the Heart Sutra and the Dalai Lama's explanations actually comes across as boring(!?) -- which is a serious obstacle for me in actually hearing the teaching (and I think something of a disservice to the preciousness of this book). I wondered if this is just an issue with non-Buddhist readers trying to adopt a tone that they think matches the topic (as if "emptiness" is best portrayed by taking an attitude of completely humorless detachment, or something). But emptiness gives rise to endless potential for expression! The Dalai Lama has been so courageous and generous in helping Westerners to understand their minds. I wish I could more clearly hear that spirit in this reading -- but on the other hand I suppose it's a good exercise for me in the practice of listening beyond form!

Exactly what I needed

Relaxing and meditative. Wisdom beyond simple wisdom. Something to visit again and again. OM AH HUM

EXCELLENT

Another excellent book by the Dalai Lama.
I highly recommend this book.
So well written, easy to follow and understand.
I have the physical book, it was nice to follow along while listening, also easy to make notes.
Definitely a book I will pick up at intervals.
The narrator, Gabra Zackman has a very nice voice.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

The Dalai Lama Shares Wisdom

This is a conversation that is not proselytizing for Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama speaks of his vast experiences and the value of religious practice in every religious tradition, which he acknowledges as having great value.

Gabra Zackman does an excellent job of narrating.

I recommend this book to everyone, and not just those who intend to practice Buddhism.

Wonderful

Really enjoyed the narration and found the listening very comfortable. Obviously the content is excellent from the Dalai Lama

Recommend

A novice like me struggled to understand...

Good book, but at times I struggled to understand concepts. Perhaps this was due to the narration or perhaps down to me & my levels of concentration

Great message, pronunciation needs work

I haven’t finished this yet, but so far I’m enjoying the content, though a little bothered by the author’s Americanised ‘Boo-dah’/‘Bood-ism’ pronunciation. I would have expected someone reading a book by the Dalai Lama to at least know how to pronounce his religion correctly! Though this irks me a bit, I’m still enjoying the rest of it, and I really enjoy how the Dalai Lama writes.

Excellent

Bowing to this deep, beautiful, engaging and well written book.
Lovely narrator making easy to follow and absorb the profound meaning of this teachings.
Would give 10 stars!

Heart Opening Enlightenment

The Dalai Lama communicates an honourable, inclusive and empathetic approach to enlightenment - not just for one’s self but for the benefit of all - for each person does not intrinsically exist without other forms or factors that make up our life.

This book will definitely help you to realise the opportunities for altruism in your journey to enlightenment. All new things are born of change after all.

Deep and meaningful

A truly deep and meaningful book which is challenging and at times hard to grasp. In the end the message of compassion for others as a path of enrichment for yourself is worthy in itself.

A very interesting listen

actually a very comprehensive introduction to mahayana buddhism. highly recommended. I will definitely listen to it again

Perfect book on the ultimate nature of reality

Excellent explanation with great clarity on - the Heart Sutra - the heart of Buddha's teachings on the wisdom that realizes the ultimate nature of reality.