Awakening of the Heart: Essential Buddhist Sutras and Commentaries

by Thich Nhat Hanh

Awakening of the Heart is a comprehensive, single volume collection of the Buddha's key sutras, translated with contemporary commentary by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It is an essential complement to Happiness, the bestselling collection of meditation and mindful practices released in 2009. Awakening of the Heart captures the heart of Buddhist wisdom and Thich Nhat Hanh's unique talent to make the Buddha's teachings accessible and applicable to our daily lives and times. This is a wonderful gift for anyone looking to deepen their practice and understanding of the teachings, as well as a unique resource to understand the fundamentals of Buddhism from its source.With a new introduction and updated commentary, Awakening of the Heartcontains the following Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Sutra On Full Awareness Of Breathing, Sutra On The Four Establishments Of Mindfulness, Sutra On The Better Way To Catch A Snake, Sutra On The Better Way To Live Alone, Sutra On The Eight Realizations Of The Great Beings, Discourse On Happiness, Teachings On the Middle Way

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Meditation, Zen

546 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

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

[Mads P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for those interested in serious study of Buddhism. It's a thick volume, covering the essential sutras: diamond, heart, mindfulness, breathing, etc. The best thing about the book is the commentary after each sutra by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh. He is able to explain complex ideas in a way that's understandable, and even poetic at times. I read this as part of a discussion group that met once a month, which was very helpful for reflecting on and understanding the sutras. A person could spend a lifetime working the sutras to grow spiritually. This is a book I hope to keep referring to throughout my life.

[Dev Poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The commentaries on the sutras has been an important, influential, and amazing read and practice.
Thay likes to repeat a lot of lines to really impregnate the practice into your mind. Anyone who studies, recites, writes down, or talk about these sutras and truly puts them into practice will realize the Way of Awakening, touch nirvana, and will realize equanimity, emancipation, and liberation. 5 stars hands down.
Namo Buddhaya
Namaste

[Loïc Cas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep and inspiring compilation of sutras and their commentaries, that will help and inspire buddhist practitioners, wether from Plum Village tradition or not. Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries are illuminating.

[JOANNE MACPEEK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow reading gives a sense of real awakening


Good commentary and analogies

[Lon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling translations of key Buddhist sutras with extensive commentary by Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, whose gifts for simile and illuminating explication bring a rare clarity to these texts. Instead of reading cover to cover, a fruitful approach might be to slow down and really live with each sutra for awhile, appreciating the commentary not as definitive statements, but as catalysts for personal insight, deeper than language.

[Julio Armas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of Sutras is a blessing.

The Sutras in this collection offer practical advice on how to deal with our suffering, how to be among people, how to understand the teachings, and how to put them into practice. We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to read this Sutras with a commentary of a highly accomplished teacher as Thich Nhat Hanh. I highly recommend this book.

[Tom Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great selection of sutras, relevant for anyone. The author comes across as very learned and a skilled translator. But importantly, the commentary is simple, clear, understandable and there are clear guidelines and advice for improving your life and lives of others. He frequently comes back to the central teaching of interdependence.

[Andy Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shining view

The loveliest and most delicate commentary on the primary sutras I have ever read. I read it again and again as my practice grows and find new details to meditate on every time.

[Steve Urick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of eight buddhist sutras and Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries on them. Many or all of them were published in (or as) other books. The commentaries emphasize practice and explain the meaning of the sutras with respect for tradition and also a willingness to renew the teachings.

[Zachary Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me a few years to read. Everytime I came back to it, something pretty perspective changing came out of it. Every page is dripping with wisdom and insight. I'm glad I finished this one. I think I see the world a little more clearly because of it.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve now read 17 books by Thích Nhat Hahn and having read this one I can see all the seeds of his teachings and feel my understanding of his teachings to have deepened. Highly recommended.

[David K. Glidden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This essential collection consists of the central Zen/Ch’an sutras with scholarly and mindful commentary.

[Robert Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only for dedicated practitioners of Bhuddism, in my opinion. It will test one's patience.

[Jim Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too complex for me; beyond my depth.

[Liam]

Lovely afternoon read

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for reference

[Spencer Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great selection of sutras and the commentary was very helpful. Missing star is because the commentary gets a little repetitive and the prose is dryer than Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings."

[Dan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

No book of spiritual teachings (Sutras for example), can replace the presence of the teacher himself. In this lovely book, each Sutra is followed by a very useful commentary (Thich’s). The book starts with the most important Sutra on the Full Awareness of Breathing. I say most important, that being my opinion, yet an opinion shared by many.
The Sutras are thousands of years old, and the commentaries most helpful. I doubt it is by accident that the commentaries follow the actual Sutras. In this way you can read the Sutras and form an opinion as to how it relates to you, of course reading slowly at your own reflective pace I being critical. The following commentaries help to confirm your thoughts and offer insightful additional insights.
At 500+ pages this is a book to read and reread over years if not decades.

[Alycee Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and accessible analysis of nine essential Buddhist Sutras. Thich Nhat Hanh has a real gift for being able to explain difficult Buddhist principles (like those espoused in the Heart and Diamond sutras) in an engaging and simple way. I enjoyed this work and am sure I will return to it again and again.

[Lynette Monteiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing detail. More a practice book than something to "read".

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, one to read over and over.

[Alonzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a very useful and helpful book. I appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh's commentaries on these key Mahayana Sutras.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this immensely .

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book led me to a peaceful land. I was so happy reading this book.

[GoldenLemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immense joy.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the wisest, most compassionate books I've ever read.

[me · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best dharma books written.