The Heart of the Universe: Exploring the Heart Sutra

Be the first to write a review

Overview

This is the bold and intriguing assertion of the Heart Sutra, a text of seminal importance to the Buddhist tradition made even more fascinating by its deep resonance with the cutting edges of quantum physics and cognitive science. In spare and approachable language, The Heart of the Universe deftly explores this gem of world religious literature from a variety of perspectives-historical, spiritual, linguistic, and scientific-each serving to interdependently illuminate the other....

See more details below
Paperback
$14.03
BN.com price
(Save 12%)$15.95 List Price
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (12) from $6.38   
  • New (7) from $8.50   
  • Used (5) from $6.38   
The Heart of the Universe: Exploring the Heart Sutra

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • NOOK Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$11.62
BN.com price

More About This Book

Overview

This is the bold and intriguing assertion of the Heart Sutra, a text of seminal importance to the Buddhist tradition made even more fascinating by its deep resonance with the cutting edges of quantum physics and cognitive science. In spare and approachable language, The Heart of the Universe deftly explores this gem of world religious literature from a variety of perspectives-historical, spiritual, linguistic, and scientific-each serving to interdependently illuminate the other.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Andrew Olendzki
"Mu Soeng's treatment of this foundational text is original, clear, helpful, and wise."
Joseph Goldstein
"Through his meditative wisdom and scholarly sophistication, Mu Soeng brings to life the profound richness of the Heart Sutra, capturing its transformative meaning for our lives. An in-depth exploration of a vital text."
Ajahn Amaro
"Mu Soeng's scientifically inspired commentary opens up the meaning of the Heart Sutra from the side of informed spiritual enquiry and direct meditative experience. Heart of the Universe carries an edge of incisive, practical wisdom."
Professor Mark Unno
"Elegant, simple—and invaluable."
Shambhala Sun
"Mu Soeng helps us understand this seminal sutra and its intuitive view of the nature of ultimate reality. He also gives his commentary an ultramodern twist by focusing on the place where quantum physics and Mahayana Buddhism converge."
Buddhadharma
"Mu Soeng's The Heart of the Universe is a brief, thought-provoking commentary on the Heart Sutra. In his introduction, the author, who is the scholar in residence at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, reminds the reader that the sutra has a history, and that all who have read—and chanted—it have done so within a specific cultural context. For Soeng, quantum physics—the scientific insight that the basic particles of matter are actually in constant flux-informs how the sutra is understood in the modern West. Of course, any discussion of the Heart Sutra is going to center on the concept of emptiness—the Mahayana theory that all phenomena are without fixed and independent identity. Soeng presents his fascinating discussion of emptiness early in the book, leaving little to say when discussing the famous line 'form is emptiness, emptiness is form' in his line-by-line commentary."
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780861715749
  • Publisher: Wisdom Publications MA
  • Publication date: 3/2/2010
  • Pages: 150
  • Sales rank: 719,719
  • Product dimensions: 9.00 (w) x 6.00 (h) x 0.37 (d)

Meet the Author

Mu Soeng, a former Zen monk and teacher, is the scholar-in-residence at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. He is the author of many books on Buddhism, including Trust in Mind and The Diamond Sutra. He lives in Barre, Massachusetts.

Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

The Text Itself 5

The Maha Prajna Paramita Hridaya Sutra 7

Background and Setting of the Sutra 9

Historical Background of the Sutra 11

The Setting 22

Commentary 27

Appendix 99

Notes 103

Bibliography 105

Acknowledgments 107

Index 109

About the Author 117

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 21, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)