There are still a few beds open at the temple and room for many more commuters to our February 7-14 retreat on the Heart Sutra. We will have Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Theravada disciples and both lay and monastics participating in this retreat and I anticipate some inspired and passionate discussions. We will focus on the BM’s introduction and part one, which deals with just the title. This will include the over 60 pages of Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra that are devoted to just describing the word “prajna.” The three types of prajna are all introduced–intrinsic-reality prajna, contemplative illumination prajna, and language prajna. There are stories about various historic masters and various great dharmas that are practiced to achieve enlightenment. This part of this amazing and profound sutra contains much more including a very important section on why concentration and wisdom are equal and why both must be perfected. If you plan on mastering this essential text, which you need to do to become enlightened, you need this series of first chapters to provide the foundation for deeper study.
To allow for more to attend the weekend offering we will have three classes at 9:00 am, 2:00 and 7:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday (February 8 & 9). Other classes start at 7:00 pm on Friday, February 7, and again at 9:00 am and 7:00 pm from Monday, February 10, until Friday, February 14. Those who can will go with us to Pasadena to visit the Holy Miracles Temple and to Covina to visit the H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Cultural and Art Museum. If we have time, we will also try and visit the site of the Buddhist Town at Heavenly Lakes in Hesperia.
I will read from the latest revision of the translation of Imparting the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra. We have indexed the preliminary translation we have in English to the original Chinese text so it will be easier for Chinese readers to follow in Chinese, if they wish to bring their copies of this precious book. Many students find this helpful to hear the English, but still have the advantage of the deeper meaning of the Chinese characters. We all benefit from this as the Chinese students, who have often read the entire text many times, can offer their insights during discussions. We also have a few Kindles that some may want to follow in English. We could use more Kindles, if anyone wants to donate them to the temple. You may take notes, as this is a rare opportunity to hear or see this text in English. We know this is not the final or correct translation yet, but it still is the best and most helpful writing that I know of in English. Because it is such a massive and profound work, I feel it will take a long time for it to be available to the public in English. We must be very grateful to the translators who are working very hard to bring us the translation.
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