(also known as the Vajracchedikā or Diamond Sutra) A highly readable translation of the Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra as transmitted in the Chinese tradition, this brief text summarizes the teachings on emptiness of the Prajñāpāramitā, the perfection of wisdom. In this Sutra, the Buddha teaches his disciple Subhuti the subtle points of Buddhist philosophy on emptiness, the lack of true existence of anything—thoughts are illusions; life is a dream. Master Hua enriches the text by providing details and narratives, and he explains how to incorporate the concept of emptiness into our lives.

A highly readable translation of the Vajra Prajna Paramita Sutra as transmitted in the Chinese tradition, this brief text summarizes the teachings on emptiness of the Prajñāpāramitā, the perfection of wisdom. In this Sutra, the Buddha teaches his disciple Subhuti the subtle points of Buddhist philosophy on emptiness, the lack of true existence of anything—thoughts are illusions; life is a dream. Master Hua enriches the text by providing details and narratives, and he explains how to incorporate the concept of emptiness into our lives. (Based on audio recordings of lectures given by Master Hua at the Buddhist Lecture Hall in San Francisco, 1968)

praj·na: transcendental wisdom pa·ra·mi·ta: ferrying over to the other shore; perfection The Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra are essential reading for those who practice Buddhism. Over the past thirteen centuries, however, the larger work to which they belong has been available only in Chinese. Now, for the first time, English speakers can access the first twenty fascicles of The Great Prajna Paramita Sutra, regarded as the largest canon in Buddhism. The Great Prajna Paramita Sutra demonstrates how one can become a bodhisattva -- and eventually a Buddha -- transcending self-interest to reach a state of emptiness, selflessness, and nonattachment. Regardless of where you are on the path to enlightenment, you’ll be nourished by the parables and dialogues within.