Opening the Heart of the Cosmos: Insights on the Lotus Sutra
by Thich Nhat Hanh
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The Lotus Sutra is one of the most revered Mahayana texts, yet there are very few commentaries on it available in English. In this book, renowned Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh explores the Sutra's main theme -- that everyone has the capacity to become a Buddha and that the Buddha nature is inherent in everything -- while emphasizing that Buddha-nature is the basis for peaceful action. Hanh interprets the Sutra with his signature depth of vision, lucidity, and clarity, showing how both show more individuals and nations can use its wisdom to solve the many problems facing the world today. show lessTags
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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.
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499+ Works 42,984 Members
Thich Nhat Hanh was born in central Vietnam on October 11, 1926. He entered Tu Hieu Temple as a novice monk at the age of sixteen. During the Vietnam War, he was part of a movement called "engaged Buddhism", which combines traditional practices with nonviolent civil disobedience. For this, he was exiled by both the Communist and non-Communist show more governments and was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967 for his efforts to reconcile North and South Vietnam. He is a teacher, author, poet, and peace activist. He has written over 100 titles on meditation, mindfulness and Engaged Buddhism, as well as poems, children's stories, and commentaries on ancient Buddhist texts. His books include The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: An Introduction to Buddhism, Peace Is Every Step, The Miracle of Mindfulness, The Art of Power, True Love and Anger, Vietnam: Lotus in a Sea of Fire, and Living Buddha, Living Christ. He founded a retreat in France called Plum Village. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Kabat-Zinn, Jon
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