---
product_id: 46509175
title: "The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism"
brand: "kazuaki tanahashi"
price: "9478 som"
currency: KGS
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
url: https://www.desertcart.kg/products/46509175-the-heart-sutra-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-classic-mahayana
store_origin: KG
region: Kyrgyzstan
---

# The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism

**Brand:** kazuaki tanahashi
**Price:** 9478 som
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism by kazuaki tanahashi
- **How much does it cost?** 9478 som with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.kg](https://www.desertcart.kg/products/46509175-the-heart-sutra-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-classic-mahayana)

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## Description

The Heart Sutra: A Comprehensive Guide to the Classic of Mahayana Buddhism

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Scholarly and detailed worked with secret, unique gems
  

*by I***F on Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2016*

Tanahashi's fine book detailing the genesis, development and spread of the Heart Sutra's deep, concise message around the world is first and foremost a scholarly effort with an exceptional attention to detail.  Yet it also clear that the author has cultivated his own personal relationship to and love with the Heart Sutra and for me, that's what is most compelling about wading my way through its pages.  It is filled with so many substantial historical, archaeological and linguistic factoids that it is certainly hard to commit them to memory in a single reading.  But when a special gem appears, either by footnote or otherwise, that really helps those interested in unlocking the meaning behind the text, it makes the effort of navigating this text worthwhile.Certain instances come to mind:- In the chapter entitled "Scientific Thinking", there is a wonderful summary of the author's private conversation with astrophysicist Piet Hut in 2013 that outlines what science, modern and otherwise, knows today about the objective nature of Reality and how a new science taking into account "subjects" and "interactions between subjects and objects" is needed in order to start approaching the the levels discovered by spiritual seekers.- All of the etymological gems throughout the "Terms and Concepts" chapter, allowing for multiple and layered interpretations of the text.- Bernie Glassman's explanation of "doing" and "being" prajnaparamita.- The conversation regarding back-translation to Sanskit, which potentially grounds the foundation of the Chinese Xuanzang translation now spread all over most of the world as the preeminent translation.- Correspondences with Nepalese monks, one of a kind.For me, there is a lot of Zen in Red Pine's translation and it might be all one would ever need on the proverbial desert island.  But without Tanahashi's effort, placing this miracle of a text into a human context, there might be some lingering doubts about whether or not The Heart Sutra is the desert island pick for everyone.  I am much more inspired in my practice having read it.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Initial translations to english from Asia
  

*by C***A on Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2017*

All translations are beautiful.  This journey carried me and helped me in conjunction with "the other shore".  I wanted a "japanese yet modern translation" and this is what worked.  These are words that came to north america.  Some of the first words that struggled to bring Buddhism from Asia to the West.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    This is a fresh translation of this, probably the ...
  

*by F***I on Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015*

This is a fresh translation of this, probably the most valued and famous of all Buddhist texts. There are significant changes, with phrases such as 'Wisdom beyond wisdom' in the title; 'boundlessness; for 'emptiness;'  While I still prefer the more traditional translations, this one provides a new perspective and thus to my mind is essential reading for all interested in the Hridaya Prajna Paramita Sutra. Given the koan-like obscurity of this sutra, new ways of reading it are always of value. For me, its value is as a stimulus to concentration and the sense that the essential core of Buddhist teaching - 'Hinayana' as much as Mahayana can be found by this contemplation..This edition also contains extensive commentary, including the discussion of Buddhologist Jan Nattier's theory that the original was in Chinese rather than Sanskrit. An appendix includes many other translations, as well as versions in Chinese and other languages.This is not the definitive work on the Heart Sutra, because its truth is boundless and no work can fully expound its essence.For those unfamiliar with the Heart Sutra, i would suggest reading one of the standard translations first, conveniently available in the appendix, then the new one for additional perspectives.

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*Product available on Desertcart Kyrgyzstan*
*Store origin: KG*
*Last updated: 2026-02-24*