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Essence of the Heart Sutra  By  cover art

Essence of the Heart Sutra

By: Tenzin Gyatso the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Geshe Thupten Jinpa - translator and editor
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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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.😇

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

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Insightful

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

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Helpful!

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

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    5 out of 5 stars

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!

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Exactly what I needed

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

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  • JK
  • 08-29-23

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.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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