The Wisdom Eye of Prajnaparamita

Description

In this book, you will read about how to use the Heart Sutra as a compact guide to practice and the Path. Master Nan’s teachings are packed with pith instructions, both the do’s and don’ts, for success in practice. Practical, to the point, and illustrated with thought-provoking anecdotes, his teachings are relevant to practitioners of all proclivities, from beginners to advanced.

The lines of Heart Sutra are meant to eliminate grasping to all facets of the idea of self and other, subject and object, (我執 ātma-grāha and 法執 dharma–grāha) to bring us beyond, completely beyond, to the other shore—to bodhi.

This book is from talks given at the winter meditation retreat led by Master Nan Huai-Jin at the Universal Dharma Institute (十方叢林書院 ) in Taipei in 1983. These teachings on the Heart Sutra are not about theory. It is a direct transmission of the Dharma, of the meaning beyond the words, of the essence, of the Mind.

Master Nan often referred to “form, function and essence.” Reciting sutras is a common temple activity, and many people recite sutras as a part of their personal practice, especially the Heart Sutra because it is so short and condensed. Most people enjoy the “form aspect” of reciting sutras: the words, the hypnotic sound of sutras being reciting, the sound of ritual instruments such as bells or the wooden fish beating in time with each word, the sight of all the monks, nuns and lay-practitioners in the Buddha Hall, and so forth.  Reciting sutras can indeed bring many blessings as many historical anecdotes show. This is one of the “functions” of this practice and is the reason why many people recite sutras as a regular practice. To go beyond the forms, beyond the functions, to experience the essence of the sutra is not easy to do without a teacher.

Master Nan hoped that everyone attending the retreat would be able to make significant accomplishments in their spiritual practice, to pierce through the veil, so to speak, and experience the true nature of reality. Knowing the true Mind, in and of itself, confers the greatest blessing.

To quote Master Nan:

“Prajnaparamita itself is the extraordinary mantra which can bring all sentient beings to their own bright, shining, true nature, the storehouse of treasures… You need to use the eye of your mind to observe it, illuminate it and realize it. Without doing this, you have no way of actualizing its power to the fullest.”