DCB23-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO- II

This course is one of four devoted to PART TWO of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III that 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. 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.”

At present the preliminary translation of this precious sutra can only be heard or read while at the Holy Vajrasana Temple and Retreat Center located near Sanger, California. You can only read the sutra in English on kindles which are updated periodically to reflect the most current translation. HOWEVER, you cannot record or take photos of any part of the text or classes.

DCB23-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra-II will be read and discussed during various retreats held at the Holy Vajrasana Temple in Sanger CA. This course will cover a portion of Part Two, which includes:

“Sariputra, form does not differ from emptiness; emptiness does not differ from form. Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.” 

Second-Phase Principles

“The same is true of feeling, conceptualization, action, and consciousness. Sariputra, emptiness is the characteristic of all dharmas. They do not arise or perish, are not defiled or pure, do not increase or decrease.”

“Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no feeling, conceptualization,  action, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; . . .”

“. . . No forms, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, or objects of mind; no realm of eyes, up to and including no realm of mind consciousness; . . .”

“. . . No avidya and also no ending of avidya, up to and Including no aging and death and also no ending of aging and death; . . .”

Twelve Links of Conditioned origination:  Avidya, Action, Consciousness, Name & Form, Six Entrances, Contact, Feeling, Craving, Grasping, Existence, Birth, Aging & Death

The rest of the book is covered in other courses—DCB21, DCB22, DCB24, DCB25, & DCB26.

You will be able to read the latest draft of the text as translated by Bodhi Wentu Rinpoche. We have kindles that are available for individual use for the class.  The temple only has dorm and private rooms for a few people. Spaces will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. Current COVID rules will apply concerning how many can attend, wearing of masks, vaccination requirements, etc. Priority for attendance at these retreats will be given to those who are enrolled in either the Buddhist Studies or Xiuxing Seminary programs at the Learning from Buddha College and Seminary, but others may be able to visit the temple and read the text on kindles at other times. Please call in advance to make sure the temple is open.

This interactive course is not available for those enrolled in the free membership program for AUDITING STUDENTS. It will only be part of the paid membership program.

Click on the “Curriculum” tab to review this course.  If you have not registered for a membership, please click on “Membership” on the top menu bar to select your membership and enroll in this course.  You are also required to complete the application form provided in course “G02-Spiritual Autobiography” prior to being admitted to either the BUDDHIST STUDIES or the XIUXING SEMINARY PROGRAMS. Click for detailed Users Guide under the “STUDENT MANUAL” in the website’s top menu bar for more information.

Prior to viewing this course, you are required to listen to the caveats provided in “PRELIMINARY STEPS” of Section 1 of the curriculum, which is a requirement for all preliminary translations of the Buddha Master’s teachings and complete “D01(A)-The Supreme and Magnificent Dharma”.

CLICK for link to an English translation of all five volumes of Nagarjuna’s Maha Prajna Paramita Shastra, an encyclopedia (941,039 words) of Mahayana Buddhist thinking that is a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita (The Perfection of Wisdom in Five Thousand Lines) that is frequently referenced in Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.