A Heart Sutra Journey | Part Fifteen

"NO GAIN AND THUS THE BODHISATTVA LIVES PRAJNA PARAMITA,..."

Up until now, the text has been focused on looking at various formulations of thought, consciousness, and the material universe from the position of Prajna Paramita. In this light, we can see everything as being devoid of self-existence, and therefore empty. This empty is very wonderful in that is lacks nothing and is fully present in this very moment. In emptiness, there is no gain or loss, no arising or ceasing, and no suffering - as there is no cause for such. In practicing emptiness we encounter this transcendent wisdom and embody it by taking refuge in it.

Thus by embodying this Prajna Paramita - this perfect transcendent wisdom - we embody all of the paramitas we discussed on Day 3: generosity (dana), morality (sila), forbearance (kshanti), vigor (virya), meditation (dhyana). All are present in perfect prajna. There is no gain or attainment in this, as there is nothing to gain or lose.

The delusions of self and other are also fully transcended. How does the Boddhisatva manifest compassion in this light?

See the full text of the Heart Sutra at: https://oneriverzen.org/heart-sutra