Irene Kaigetsu Bakker & Kaz Tanahashi: Irene Kaigetsu Bakker & Kaz Tanahashi: 07-28-2013: SESSHIN: Exploring The Heart Sutra (Part 3)

Summary: Episode Description: In this Dharma Talk, Sensei Kaz and Sensei Irene discuss the history and mantra of the Heart Sutra. "Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha!" Sensei Kaz opens the talk with a captivating and thorough explanation of the history of The Heart Sutra. Going back to the earliest record of the sutra, what he calls the "alpha version," which is attributed to the Buddhist monk Xaunzang from the western part of China in the early seventh century. Kaz goes on to discuss how The Heart Sutra's mantra has been used as a prayer and that healing properties are attributed to words. Sensei Irene continues on to describe how the mantra offers protection and also has the potential to really be liberating. "By chanting the mantra we liberate our heart mind and mind. It is powerful medicine." She notes that although it is best to not translate it, it is commonly translated aa "Gone. Gone. Gone to the other shore. Altogether. Awake!" Irene suggests that it is possible to condense entire Heart Sutra into just the untranslated mantra. And in chanting the sutra, without seeking an intellectual understanding of it, we truly receive it and are liberated. For Series Description and teacher BIO, please see Part 1. To access the entire series, please click on the link below: Sesshin: Exploring The Heart Sutra Series: All 5 Parts