Synopses & Reviews
Thunderous Silence throws light on the Heart Sutra--a pithy encapsulation of the essence of Perfection of Wisdom literature--using stop-by-step analysis and an easy, conversational voice. Dosung Yoo examines the sutra phrase by phrase, using rich explanations and metaphors drawn from Korean folklore, quantum physics, Charles Dickens, and everything in between to clarify subtle concepts for the reader. This book invites us to examine the fundamentals of Buddhism--the Four Noble Truths, emptiness, enlightenment--through the prism of the Heart Sutra. Both those new to Buddhism and longtime practitioners looking to revisit a core text from a fresh perspective will find this work appealing.
Review
The notion of emptiness is the essence of The Heart Sutra and a seminal concept in both Mahayana Buddhism and the Korean Won-Buddhist tradition. Rev. Dosung Yoos practical guide to The Heart Sutra uses concrete examples drawn from everyday life to help the reader understand and embrace the concept of emptiness. Rev. Yoos accessible commentary will deepen ones understanding and practice of Buddhism.”Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies, UCLA
Review
Discusses basic Buddhist teachings thoroughly, with a delightful ease and lightness expressive of the emptiness teachings themselves, and features a wealth of charmingly told Korean folk stories and old Buddhist tales that illustrate, with humor and magical realism, the potentially abstract and philosophical teaching of the sutra.”
Shambhala SunSimple and powerfulRev. Yoo's commentary opens the gateway to a deeper understanding of Buddhadharma and enriching both our practice and daily lives. I cannot recommend it highly enough.”-His Holiness, Venerable Chwasan, former Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism
An accessible commentary on a seminal concept in Mahayana Buddhism. Rev. Dosung Yoos practical guide uses concrete examples drawn from everyday life to deepen the reader's understanding and practice.”Robert E. Buswell, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Buddhist Studies, UCLA
Wonderful and welcome. Dosung Yoo brings a keenly-felt contemplative understanding of the core text and strong, clear voice. He is as well-grounded in classical Mahayana teachings as in the folk narratives of Korean Buddhism. A valuable contribution.”Mu Soeng, author of The Diamond Sutra and The Heart of the Universe
Review
"Discusses basic Buddhist teachings thoroughly, with a delightful ease and lightness expressive of the emptiness teachings themselves, and features a wealth of charmingly told Korean folk stories and old Buddhist tales that illustrate, with humor and magical realism, the potentially abstract and philosophical teaching of the sutra."
Review
"Simple and powerful--Rev. Yoo's commentary opens the gateway to a deeper understanding of Buddhadharma and enriching both our practice and daily lives. I cannot recommend it highly enough."
Review
"An accessible commentary on a seminal concept in Mahayana Buddhism. Rev. Dosung Yoo's practical guide uses concrete examples drawn from everyday life to deepen the reader's understanding and practice."---
Review
"Wonderful and welcome. Dosung Yoo brings a keenly-felt contemplative understanding of the core text and strong, clear voice. He is as well-grounded in classical Mahayana teachings as in the folk narratives of Korean Buddhism. A valuable contribution."
Synopsis
The Heart Sutraa pithy and profound text that represents the essence of the prajna paramita literature, and is thus a distillation of twenty-one years of the teachings of the Buddhais here laid clear.
Thunderous Silence unravels this vital teaching of the Buddha in careful, step-by-step analysis and an easy, conversational voice. Breaking down the sutra, Reverend Dosung Yoo examines it phrase by phrase. He offers new explanations and illuminating metaphors drawn from Korean folklore, quantum physics, Charles Dickens, and everything in between. He invites the reader to examine the fundamentals of Buddhismemptiness, enlightenment, The Four Noble Truthsin light of the Heart Sutra.
Thunderous Silence will thus appeal to both readers new to Buddhism and advanced practitioners looking to deepen and strengthen their practice.
About the Author
Rev. Dosung Moojin Yoo was ordained in the Won-Buddhist Order in Korea in 1993. He teaches at the Won Dharma Center in Claverack, New York, where he lives, and at the Won Institute of Graduate Studies. He has translated several Won-Buddhist Texts and is interested in bridging the gap between the teachings of Christianity and Buddhism.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Heart Sutra
1. What Is the Heart Sutra?
2. Entering the Path of a Bodhisattva
3. Emptiness of Self
4. Anybody Home?
5. The Gateless Gate of Nonduality
6. Emptiness of Phenomena
7. Neither Appearing, Nor Disappearing
8. When the Shoes Fit, One Forgets About Them
9. The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination
10. Emptiness of the Twelve Links
11. The Four Noble Truths
The First Noble Truth: Suffering
The Second Noble Truth: The Cause of Suffering
The Third Noble Truth: The Cessation of Suffering
The Fourth Noble Truth: The Path
12. Emptiness of the Four Noble Truths
13. Sudden Enlightenment and Gradual Cultivation
14. The Ultimate Song of Freedom
15. You Are What You Seek
Bibliography
Index
About the Author