Prajñāpāramitā: Emancipated from the Very First Sentence!
"Translating these words as “in the very vivid presence, the moment the Noble Awakened Being deeply immersed in the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom, he thoroughly penetrated all five aggregates, and had a lucid, direct knowing of their essence as being Void" means that we have been emancipated from the very first sentence! As such, the content of the Prajñāpāramitā text is now describing something very transcendental at the wisdom level of an expert, realized practitioner. The contextual meaning has been brought to a highly specialized level in Buddhism, and is no longer simply a theory of the mind as it has mostly been depicted in the past.
Therefore, after we finished editing this rendition in the summer of 2019 according to our aspiration, I said that since I was very content with this Buddhist work, and had I passed away right then, I would still feel perfectly complete, because in this lifetime, I was able to contribute such a rendition of this marvelous scripture to the world of Buddhism."
Quote from Zen Master THÍCH TUỆ HẢI
(Photo of Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải with the calligraphy rock carver, Chính Thiện)
A Brief Introduction
As far as the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā (Core Essence of the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom) scripture is concerned, Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải has been single-minded to take on the argument that there is so much more we can learn from this scripture than simply presenting it as an abstract discourse and solely relying on the theoretical abstruse aspects of emptiness as it has been taken for granted for generations. Such an approach will only give us theoretical and analytical answers, and will not allow us to fathom the perfect truth – the utter emancipation which the realized masters have reached, and we, too, are aspired to reach. Through his meditative absorption and wisdom insight, Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải single-mindedly wants to bring out from this scripture is the experiential aspects of true realization of the state of pure Voidness or true existence in the very vivid presence, which, for so long, have been avoided or neglected in contemporary discourses on the so-called Heart Sutra.
So in short, after being equipped with the fundamental recognition of emptiness, the practitioners can further penetrate and go beyond their own five aggregates which themselves are empty of independent, self-nature. Then, the practitioners continue to expand the subtle mind and its state to surpass its own conscious loftiness and vastness until there is no more mind, no more person, and no more self – a state of total self-clarity and total self-simplicity, where “Void is exactly form and form is exactly Void.” It is the state of noumenal Voidness in the very vivid presence, devoid of all interdependent phenomena, characteristic signs, as well as time and space, the state of perfect awakening where there only exists the universal totality all-pervasive spacious wisdom beyond mind itself. This is exactly the understanding, the insights and the realization that Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải, would like for all of us, devoted Buddhists, aspiring Buddhists, concerned students of Buddhism, even those who are considered non-Buddhists, in the world, to undeviatingly reap from this scripture.
A BRIEF HISTORY
In accordance with the instructions of her kind Root Teacher, Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải, Milam Sudhana, together with the great assistance of Eng Jin Ooi and Ratna Siddhārtha Dhyāna, respectfully rendered the root text of the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā from Sanskrit into Vietnamese based on the original palm-leaf Sanskrit text from the Hōryū-ji Temple, cross-referencing with other Sanskrit-English translations.
The Vietnamese version was edited and enhanced by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải on August 8, 2019, and Master Tuệ Hải gave commentary on the root text for the first time in August 2019 during the Tranquil Dwelling Season at Long Hương Temple, Vietnam. The Vietnamese version was slightly re-edited by Master Thích Tuệ Hải on May 26, 2023.
Thereafter, Milam Sudhana rendered the English translation based on both the Hōryū-ji version as well as the Vietnamese edited version by Master Thích Tuệ Hải. The English rendition of the root text includes suggestions from Thiện Thành, Tenzin Drolma, Ratna Siddhārtha Dhyāna and Nguyên Mai. Subsequently, the commentary by Master Thích Tuệ Hải was compiled and translated into English by Milam Sudhana between September 2021 and June 2023, and edited by Oliver K. Luu.
Root Text
Order Book Online - English
Sample Readings
Click here to read the Sanskrit-Vietnamese-English rendition of the root text. The Vietnamese version was edited and perfectly enhanced by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải in August 2019 and June 2023 based on the Sanskrit-Vietnamese version of Milam Sudhana.
Sample Readings
Order Book Online - English
Sample Readings
Click below to read samples
- Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Aspiration Prayer
- Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
- Translator's Introductory Commentary
- Introduction: Some New Essential Discoveries and Inferences
- A Synopsis of the Scripture
Order Book Online - English
Order Book Online - English
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
ESSENCE OF PRAJÑĀPĀRAMITĀ:
IHA ŚĀRIPUTRA!
First English edition (2023)
Click here to order the English paperback or hardcopy version via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) on Amazon.
Click here to order on Namse Bangdzo bookstore of Karma Triyana Dharmachara (KTD), HH Karmapa's seat center in New York, America.
Click here to order a Kindle Ebook version.
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
Click here to read the full commentary - excerpted from the English version of the commentary book on the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải (2023)
Book in Vietnamese
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
A Synopsis of Essence of Prajñāpāramitā
TINH TÚY BÁT NHÃ BA LA MẬT ĐA
LƯỢC GIẢNG CỦA
TỲ KHEO THÍCH TUỆ HẢI
Click here to read and download PDF
First edition (2019)
A Synopsis of Essence of Prajñāpāramitā
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Commentary
A Synopsis of Essence of Prajñāpāramitā
Click here to read the synopsis - excerpted from the English version of the commentary book on the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải (2023)
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
Click here to watch. The Vietnamese translation of the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā was carved on a 30- ton boulder and deposited at Long Hương Temple, Vietnam in the Tranquil Dwelling Season in 2019. This short raw footage shows the base for the actual boulder.
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 2)
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
Click here to watch. The Vietnamese translation of the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā was carved on a 30- ton boulder and deposited at Long Hương Temple, Vietnam in the Tranquil Dwelling Season in 2019.
Calligraphy Boulder in Courtyard
30-ton Calligraphy Boulder (Clip 1)
Calligraphy Boulder in Courtyard
Click here to watch. The Vietnamese translation of the Essence of Prajñāpāramitā was carved on another large boulder and deposited in the courtyard of Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's residence at Long Hương Temple, Vietnam in the Tranquil Dwelling Season in 2019.
Resonance of Prajñāpāramitā
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
Calligraphy Boulder in Courtyard
Click here to watch a live clip at Long Hương performed by Hồ Trung Dũng, Minh Thư and Group in 2020 (with English subtitles)
Click here to watch the full version of a performance by the nationally acclaimed folk-performer Đức Đậu and his Nhạc Gõ Phù Đổng Group together with the Saigon Spring Orchestra, Singer Hoàng Tú and Bella Voice Gro
Click here to watch a live clip at Long Hương performed by Hồ Trung Dũng, Minh Thư and Group in 2020 (with English subtitles)
Click here to watch the full version of a performance by the nationally acclaimed folk-performer Đức Đậu and his Nhạc Gõ Phù Đổng Group together with the Saigon Spring Orchestra, Singer Hoàng Tú and Bella Voice Group. (2022)
Click here to watch an abridged version. (2023)
Book in Vietnamese
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
TÀI LIỆU THAM KHẢO VÀ LỊCH SỬ
CỦA BẢN VIỆT DỊCH TINH TÚY BÁT NHÃ BA LA MẬT ĐA DO TỲ KHEO THÍCH TUỆ HẢI HIỆU ĐÍNH VÀ
HOÀN THIỆN
(Vietnamese only - Việt ngữ)
Commentary by Milam Sudhana
Click here to read and download
or send your address to
for a free copy (USA & Vietnam Only)
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
Song of Great Joy: Iha Prajñāpāramitā
TO READ ESSENCE OF PRAJNAPARAMITA ONLINE
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải's Introductory Comments
Homage to the Omniscient Perfectly-Awakened One.
In the past, I have personally given a teaching on the Prajnaparamita-Hrdayam, widely known as the Heart Sutra or the Prajna Heart Sutra (Viet. Tâm Kinh or Bát Nhã Tâm Kinh). The version that I previously used was translated from Sanskrit into Chinese, and then from Chinese into Vietnamese. However, it contains various segments that did not genuinely bring to light "the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom in the vivid presence." Read more...
Translator's Introductory Comments
Homage to the Omniscient Perfectly-Awakened One.
So it is said that Prajñāpāramita-Hṛdaya alone can really go to the very core of the Buddhist teachings on emptiness, void or Voidness and by analyzing its historical existence and by restoring its component parts to their context in the Prajñāpāramita Sūtras, we can gain all the necessary understanding on emptiness, void or Voidness. Read more...
Introduction: Some New Essential Discoveries and Inferences
In this introduction, we would like to share with all readers some of the most essential discoveries, among others to a lesser degree, which ignited our interest and inspired us to produce a new Sanskrit-Vietnamese translation of the Essence of Prajnaparamita, or Heart Sutra as it is otherwise known. Read more...
Root Text and Sanskrit-Vietnamese-English Translation
Read more...
Essence of Prajnaparamita (English only)
Read more...
A Synopsis: The Immersion and Complete Dissolution of an Awakened Being
What Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải would like to emphasize, herein, is that the Essence of Prajnapramita, or the Heart Sutra, should not simply be taken for granted as a philosophical, hypothetical text. For so long, many of us in the Buddhist tradition continue to dissect its content as an abstract theory of emptiness, based on a rational discourse or negation theorem. Read more...
Terminologies, Detailed Commentary and Essence Beyond Words
Please see the Terminology Tables (abbreviated: TT) on the following pages. For example, when you see (TT 1) at the end of "namas sarvajnaya," please go to Terminology Table 1. There are further detailed comments and explanations by Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải following each terminology table. [Available in print version.]
TT1. Homage to the Omniscient Perfectly Awakened One.
TT2. The moment Avalokitesvara, the Noble Awakened Being, the Naturally Free and Unobstructed Seeing One
TT3. deeply immersed in the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom,
TT4. he thoroughly penetrated all five aggregates
TT5. and had a lucid, direct knowing of their intrinsic essence as being Void.
TT6. O Sariputra, in this very vivid presence, form is exactly Void, Void is exactly form;
TT7. form is not different from Void, Void is not different from form;
TT8. that which is form is Void, that which is Void is form;
TT9. the same is exactly true of sensation, perception, mental formation and consciousness.
TT10. O Sariputra, in this very vivid presence, all phenomena clearly emerge from Voidness,
TT11. unborn, unceasing, immaculate, untainted, perfectly whole and complete.
TT12. Therefore, Sariputra, in this state of Voidness,
TT13. there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no mental formation, no consciousness;
TT14. no eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind;
TT15. no form, sound, smell, taste, touch, object of mind;
TT16. no realm of eye consciousness up to no realm of mind-consciousness;
TT17. no knowledge, no ignorance, no extinction of knowledge and no extinction of ignorance;
TT18. up to no aging and death, and no extinction of aging and death;
TT19. no suffering, origination, cessation and path;
TT20. no wisdom and no attainment.
TT21. Therefore, the Awakened One
TT22. is being vividly and naturally present as the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom; his mind is free from obscuration;
TT23. because mind is devoid of obscuration, he has no fear;
TT24. gone beyond confusion-delusion, he brings the ultimate transcendent state to perfect completion.
TT25. All Buddhas of the three times
TT26. are ever being vividly present as the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom,
TT27. perfectly complete the fruition of Unexcelled, True and Perfect Enlightenment.
TT28. Therefore, Prajnaparamita should be known as the great wisdom,
TT29. the wisdom of great awakening, the unsurpassable wisdom, the unparalleled wisdom,
TT30. transcending all delusional suffering, every truthful, undeceptive.
TT31. Thus to speak of the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom is to be vividly present as the realm of truth:
TT32. Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone utterly freely beyond, perfectly awakened, svaha.
TT33. Herein, the core essence of the Perfect All-Transcendent Wisdom is thus fulfilled.
Appendix A: Understanding the Five Aggregates, Their Attributes and Their Workings
When we study the Dharma, and especially the Essence of Prajnaparamita, we need to clearly understand the five aggregates - the components of our body and mind (form, sensation, perception, mental formation and mental consciousness), because if we do not completely see, understand, discern and comprehend them correctly, we would be totally confused in our practice.
The Aggregate of Form
The Aggregate of Sensation
The Aggregate of Perception
The Aggregate of Mental Formation
The Aggregate of Consciousness
Appendix B: The Wisdom That Reveals True Existence, the Realm of Truth
After cultivating and perfectly completing the virtue of Universal Goodness and All-Excellent Conduct, the practitioner's wisdom is like that of an enlightened being as there is no disparity between theirs and an enlightened being's wisdom. So then this person will then have the true knowing wisdom, directly seeing the reality of all phenomena. Read more...
Selected Bibliography
Read more...
Brief Biography
Read more...
To purchase a copy of the print version on Amazon
Click here!
Zen Master Thích Tuệ Hải & Oneness of Dharma
Breathing in perfect merit & wisdom
Breathing out full of love