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Finding the Heart Sutra

Guided by a Magician, an Art Collector and Buddhist Sages from Tibet to Japan
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( 106 ratings, 23 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Finding the Heart Sutra, Alex Kerr explores the profound impact of a sacred Buddhist text, combining personal narrative with philosophical insight. Kerr delves into historical, cultural, and spiritual aspects, offering an accessible window into Eastern philosophies and their relevance to modern life. Through insightful reflections, the book reveals how ancient wisdom can illuminate contemporary paths.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3000
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have an interest in exploring the deep connections between Eastern philosophy and personal growth. It offers an insightful journey into understanding ancient wisdom through a modern lens, blending personal memoir with cultural analysis to uncover life lessons from traditional texts.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An illuminating — and deeply personal — exploration of the essence of Buddhist thought, from the author of Lost Japan.

Powerful, mystical and concise, the Heart Sutra is believed to contain the condensed essence of all Buddhist wisdom. This brief poem on emptiness has exerted immense influence throughout Asia since the seventh century and is woven into the fabric of daily life. Yet even though it rivals the teachings of Laozi and Confucius in importance, this ancient Buddhist scripture remains barely known in the West.

During the many years he has spent living in Japan, Alex Kerr has been on a quest after the secrets of the Heart Sutra. Travelling from Japan, Korea, and China, to India, Mongolia, Tibet and Vietnam, this book brings together Buddhist teaching, talks with friends and mentors, and acute cultural insights to probe the universe of thought contained within this short but intense philosophical work.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Finding the Heart Sutra by Alex Kerr receives praise for its panoramic storytelling and meticulous attention to detail. Kerr is adept at making complex philosophical concepts accessible and engaging, weaving humour with wisdom and enlightenment. His background in Japanese culture and aesthetics adds depth, creating a compelling narrative that both educates and entertains, further cementing his reputation established in prior works.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141994208

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 March 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 222g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Alex Kerr is an American writer and Japanologist whose previous books include Lost Japan and Another Kyoto. He was the first foreigner to be awarded the Shincho Gakugei Literature Prize for the best work of non-fiction published in Japan.

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  • Another Kyoto
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  • Lost Japan
    Lost Japan by Alex Kerr is a mesmerising exploration of Japan's rich landscape, culture, history, and the complexities of its future. Originally penned in Japanese, this deeply personal narrative draws on Kerr’s extensive experiences over thirty years, providing an intimate glimpse into many facets of Japanese life that are often hidden from outsiders. The book begins with Kerr's vivid portrayal...
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  • Hidden Japan
    Originally published in Japanese as a call to preserve disappearing facets of Japan's rich and ancient culture, Hidden Japan takes its inspiration from the 1960s classic, Hidden Hamlets by Shirasu Masako. Like Shirasu, Alex Kerr travels to remote and lesser-known places around Japan where pockets of traditional culture can still be found. Some are faraway—like Aogashima Island, 200 miles south...
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