We started Lesson 35 of DCB25 using “So recite the prajna-paramita mantra, recite the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.” from the Heart Sutra as our text. The related discussion on July 26 included the following:
What is the translated meaning of the Sanskrit “gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha”?
“This prajna-paramita mantra is a secret mantra. After the mantra arrived in China from India, its Sanskrit pronunciation has always been expressed in Chinese characters. Because the mantra has a secret meaning, there can only be a transliteration of the Sanskrit words rather than a translation of their meaning. There cannot be a translation of their meaning even in India. Any attempt to translate the meaning would be clinging to the conditioned form of the mantra sentences, which would not express the secret meaning of the mantra.”
When should your three karmas be in correspondence?
“As for correspondence of your three karmas, they should be in correspondence when you sit on your Dharma-practice seat. Your three karmas should be in correspondence after you get up from your Dharma-practice seat. Your three karmas should be in correspondence at all times.”
The Buddha Master offered several analogies and examples to help explain the meaning of this part of the Heart Sutra and why. These included that of the eagle and the ostrich; the size of tires, shoes, and bowls; the different methods used by Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva to teach the meaning of prajna; the causes and conditions related to the capture of Brahma; and worldly telephone communications and correspondence with the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. He also talked about why teaching Dharma is most difficult and accurate ways to select the most appropriate Dharma to teach as well as the meaning of the phase “mind-Dharmas of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. He explained the functions of mantras and how they come into being as well as corrected how certain popular mantras are used incorrectly. He even explained what a yidam is and the source of each yidam’s mantra and more.
Be sure and enroll in DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: Part TWO-III, if you want to join our long term study of the Heart Sutra or the broader study of C41(A)-the Three Principle Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. There is an expanded article on C41(A) that explains its scope and content. CLICK for video of that discussion and revised maps of this roadmap to C41(A). DCB25 is one of the Learning from Buddha Seminary (LFBS) courses that are included in C41(A). There is also another article that discusses G03(A) and G03 Evolution of Buddhism, two additional courses that are also part of C41(A).
CLICK for a list of available classes in each of the programs: Auditing, Buddhist Studies, and Xiuxing Seminary. Those with membership in the Xiuxing Seminary Program who are only interested in serious practice and not opening a Dharma Center may also elect to follow the Xiuxing Practice Program and take a seven or thirty-day Solitary Retreat.
Next:
The next class on DCB25 will start with a discussion of Lesson 35- “So recite the prajna-paramita mantra, recite the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.” at our July 26, 2025 ZOOM session at 9:00 am. There will be no ZOOM class on July 19.
Our next class in Hesperia will be held at 19099 Lemon Street on July 20, starting at 10:00 am and continuing until 3:00 pm.
If you have enrolled in C41(A) or DCB25 or DCB24 or DCB23 or DCB22 or DCB21 or DCB26, you may continue to use the same ZOOM link to attend the Saturday morning discussions. However, you will need to enroll in the appropriate course to be able to watch the video recordings of the classes, download study materials, or study the related questions.
TO DATE: DCB25-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra: PART TWO–IV and C41-Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice.
The recordings of the July 26, 2025 DCB25-Lesson 35A class is now available. All of the recordings and summary of ZOOM discussions for DCB21, DCB22, DCB23, DCB24, and DCB26-Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra are now available along with the questions for DCB25. You must be enrolled in each of these classes in one of the full membership programs at the LFBS to access the course materials, questions covered (in parenthesis), and/or the class recordings. Please note that these links will only work if you are logged into LFBS with your membership identification number AND are enrolled in this class.
“So recite the prajna-paramita mantra, recite the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.”
CLICK for article on the entire text of Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra.
CLICK for article with instructions on how to enroll in LFBS classes and how to register for the ZOOM discussions.
July 26, 2025: Lesson 35-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “So recite the prajna-paramita mantra, recite the mantra that says: gate gate paragate parasamgate bodhi svaha.” (255-278) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
July 12, 2025: Lesson 34E-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Which Can Remove All Suffering and Is True, Not False.“ (237-254) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
July 5, 2025: Lesson 34B-D-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Great Bright Mantra (197-202), The Supreme Mantra (203-213), The Unequaled Mantra (214-236) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
July 5, 2025: Lesson 34A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Great Supernormal Mantra (189-196) and (HERE) for recordings of the class.
June 28, 2025: Lesson 34A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Great Supernormal Mantra (146-188) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
June 21, 2025: Lesson 33B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Perfection of a Buddha (140-145) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
June 7, 2025: Lesson 33AThe Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Perfection of a Buddha (104-139) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 17, 2025: Lesson 32B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The “Three Times, Anuttara, & Samyak” (84-103) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 10, 2025: Lesson 32A–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The “Three Times, Anuttara, & Samyak” (69-83) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
May 3, 2025: Lesson 31-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, The Different Levels of Nirvana (24-68) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 26, 2025: Lesson 30–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “Having forever left inverted dream-thinking, they dwell in ultimate nirvana.” (25-43 ) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 19, 2025: Lesson 29C–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (18-24) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 12, 2025: Lesson 29B–The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (13-19) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
April 5, 2025: Lesson 29A-The Great Stage–Wisdom Path of the right view of emptiness, Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Text of the Heart Sutra–IV, “. . . Bodhisattvas rely on prajna-paramita, and thus their minds have no hindrance.” (1-12) and (HERE) for recording of the class.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB24 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB24 held from January 4, 2025 to March 29, 2025,
January 4, 2025: Roadmap to C41(A)–Three Principal Stages & Paths of Buddhist Practice. Video of class discussion.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB23 and links to all 13 ZOOM class discussions on DCB23 held from August 24, 2024 to November 16, 2024,
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB22 and links to videos of all 21 ZOOM class discussions on DCB22 held from February 10, 2024 to April 20, 2024 and from June 29, 2024 to August 3, 2024.
CLICK for article on the last class held on DCB21 and links to videos of all 18 ZOOM class discussions on DCB21 held from November 21, 2022 to April 1, 2023. Note: not all of the forwards, notes, and introductions are complete.
CLICK for article on last class held on DCB26 and links to videos of all 8 ZOOM class discussions held on DCB26 held from April 20, 2024 to June 22, 2024.
CLICK for Background information on Expounding the Absolute Truth through the Heart Sutra and why it is such an important text.
CLICK for information on S01-Supreme and Unsurpassable Mahamudra of Liberation (SAUMOL) Seminar.
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