The self-study questions have been added to DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
This course is the fourth of four devoted to PART TWO of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. It covers the Parts contained in the actual text portion of the Heart Sutra. It was released in Chinese in 2014 but is not yet available in English. It is based on a series of very famous discourses given in China in 1992, using the text, meaning, and principles of the Heart Sutra to transmit Dharma. It clearly explains the relationships between mind, Buddha, and living beings. It tells everyone what the absolute truth of Buddha-dharma and liberation is. Several years ago, His Holiness told a number of Western disciples that this is the only book you need to read to understand emptiness and become enlightened. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to read a preliminary translation of this great work agree. This text is for acquiring prajna or transcendental wisdom, although it also teaches the importance of cultivating character.
To stress how important this holy book is, we must remember that just before the Buddha left this world His Holiness told us that “. . . At all times, we must think about bringing auspiciousness, serenity, happiness, and peace to living beings and to the world, to the extent of giving our all and even our lives. I have already brought true Buddha Dharma to this world. Everyone who practices in accordance with The Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation and Expounding the Absolute Truth Through the Heart Sutra will surely attain liberation. That’s all. I wish all living beings happiness.”
DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra-IV has been read and discussed during various retreats held at the Holy Vajrasana Temple in Sanger, California, and will hopefully be discussed again during our Saturday morning classes after we finish DCB24. This course will cover a portion of Part Two, which includes the following lessons with their focus given in quotes from the Heart Sutra in bold and specific other related topics in regular type. You can see that this course will focus on Nirvana, the Perfection of a Buddha, and mantras and prepare us for DCB26-How to Realize Prajna.
29-“. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance. Because there is no hindrance, they have no fear.
30-“Having forever left inverted dream-thinking, they dwell in ultimate nirvana.”
31-Different Levels of Nirvana
32-“All Buddhas of the three times rely on prajna-paramita and thereby attain anuttara-samyak-sambodhi.”
33-The Perfection of a Buddha
34A-“Therefore, know that prajna paramita is the great supernormal mantra, . . .”
34B-“. . . the great bright mantra, . . .”
34C-“. . . the supreme mantra, . . .”
34D-“. . . the unequaled mantra,
34E-“. . . which can remove all suffering and is true, not false.”
35-“So, recite the prajna paramita mantra, recite the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.”
The rest of the book is covered in other courses—DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, & DCB26.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for article that includes background on all six courses in this series.
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