Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh uses the Lotus Sutra, one of Mahayana Buddhism’s most revered texts, to illustrate the Buddha nature inherent in everyone. With great passion and clarity, he demonstrates how each human being has the capacity to transform their own individual suffering, develop compassion, and help create more peace in the world.

Nhat Hanh’s insights invoke a wide range of contemporary topics and concerns, from war and the threat of terrorism to individual anxiety and the degradation of our environment. He proposes a radical new solution to current conflicts, encouraging each of us to work on our own mindfulness practice to create greater peace and harmony. His accessible analysis of the sacred text demonstrates its practical and direct applicability to today’s concerns.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2003

About the author

Thích Nhất Hạnh was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet and peace activist who then lived in southwest France where he was in exile for many years. Born Nguyễn Xuân Bảo, Thích Nhất Hạnh joined a Zen (Vietnamese: Thiền) monastery at the age of 16, and studied Buddhism as a novitiate. Upon his ordination as a monk in 1949, he assumed the Dharma name Thích Nhất Hạnh. Thích is an honorary family name used by all Vietnamese monks and nuns, meaning that they are part of the Shakya (Shakyamuni Buddha) clan. He was often considered the most influential living figure in the lineage of Lâm Tế (Vietnamese Rinzai) Thiền, and perhaps also in Zen Buddhism as a whole.

Reviews

[Talat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Increasingly I am growing to love and appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh and to join Sogyal Rinpoche in thinking of him as one who "..speaks with the voice of the Buddha." This gentle Vietnamese monk who first came to the U.S. in 1966 to contest the U.S. war in Vietnam was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 by Dr. Martin Luther King. As usual with Thich Nhat Hanh's books, this is a warm, friendly, and life-affirming book. Unique to this volume is that it is a accessible introduction to, summary of, and commmentary on one of the most important Mahayana sutras: the Lotus Sutra. The Lotus Sutra presents the Buddha in cosmic terms as unborn and undying and affirms that every one of us can realize his or her Buddhanature. Thich Nhat Hanh describes the art of mindfulness in relation to the Lotus Sutra's universalist message and urges all of us to apply mindfulness (which begins in the simple consciousness of our breath)so that we can fulfill the Lotus Sutra's ideal that we all can serve as bodhisattvas, spreading peace, compassion, and justice. Unlike many of his books, this text includes footnotes and an index. In "Opening the Cosmos" one will find many details of Dharma teaching that do not appear in many of his books, tapes, and videos which I have read, heard, and watched. In many ways, it is my favorite Thich Nhat Hanh book because of its depth.

[Kenley Neufeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this commentary on the Lotus Sutra, finding the chapters on Avalokiteshvara and the Six Paramitas to be of particular value. I read this book simultaneously with Burton Watson's translation of the Lotus Sutra. This provide both context and depth that I wouldn't have had in reading only the commentary.

[Luca Dell'Oca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bel libro che apre le porte ad alcuni fondamenti del pensiero buddista, anche per chi non ne è (e non ne vuole diventare) un praticante attivo.
La partenza non è delle più semplici, il libro scorre molto lentamente nei primi capitoli, tra onestamente noiose analisi dei vari capitoli del sutra del loto, e ripetizioni eccessive di concetti.
Verso la metà però, quando si parla della parte di azione, troviamo alcuni notevoli capitoli, specificatamente:
capitolo 18 sul rispetto
capitolo 23 sulla consapevolezza dell'amore

Ultimata l'analisi del libro originario, la quarta parte presenta invece il pensiero originale dell'autore, focalizzato sulle azioni. Ed è la parte più piacevole del libro.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One gets the sense that Thich Nhat Hanh's books are written and/or edited by a committee of monks. They are very clearly expressed - much more so than his speech. This is a very clear and concise commentary on the sutra that defines the Mahayana. Yet, I felt that they resorted to revisionism to appeal to modern audiences when it came to explaining the role of women addressed in the original translations of the sutra.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a quick read, brief surface discussion, and easily digested wisdom - do not read this book. The author takes deep, thorough, insightful, and readable interpretation of the sacred text of the Lotus Sutra in a way students of Buddhism can take a deeper dive into the philosophy, history, mythos, and history of this middle path religion.

Highly recommend if you are looking for a good challenge and a in-depth study of the Lotus Sutra.

[sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely and so well-written. I love it.

[Misty Mysty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into the Lotus Sutra.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel I have a deeper understanding of the sutra now that I have read this book.

[Joanna Pollner stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep in mind that Heart sutra is much larger text , Tich Nagh Han captured the essence of Buddha’s teachings in this book

[Geoff Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great devotional or meditative text to accompany the Lotus Sutra. Hahn centers the text on human experience. He really shows how the principles of this book apply to everyday life.

[Tim Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original and insightful take on a famous sutra.