Edited by Angie Boissevain and Judy Cosgrove
In his Monday Morning Group, Kobun discussed three Buddhist sutras, the most important of which was the Heart Sutra, which is chanted more frequently than any other sutra. “Form does not differ from emptiness, emptiness does not differ from form,” is the core of our belief, as Buddhists. This book is Kobun's teisho on form and emptiness.
In the early 70's Kobun taught a class on Monday mornings, at various people's houses, where he talked about three important Buddhist sutras. Perhaps the most well-known of these is the Heart Sutra.
Angie Boissevain wrote down Kobun's discussions, at first from listening to his slow speaking, and later from tape recordings.
The version of the sutra which Kobun introduced at Haiku Zendo is included here. Sanskrit words are explained. When somewhat unfamiliar Japanese terms and Sanskrit words are included in the discussion, these are presented in quotes or italics. Two very personal stories from Kobun's life are also included, in the belief that they help us put these teachings into practice in our own personal lives.
— Judy Cosgrove, Editor's Note
Calligraphy by Hathaway Barry. Cover image by Gerow Reece. Typesetting by Russell Cosgrove. First printing December 2015; second printing October 2016.
The sutra text itself forms its own chapter in the book and is not reproduced here; what follows is Kobun's commentary.