Mother of the Buddhas: Meditations on the Prajnaparamita Sutra

I am reading for the 3rd time MOTHER OF THE BUDDHAS, and it feels like the 1st time-- all over again. The more I sit on the cushion, pray, read, attend to-the-point teachings (from all paths)the more I see how tricky my mind is. Several years ago my spiritual 'friend'/Buddhist lama recommended I read this work by Lex Hixon. There have been other recommendations he has suggested, but I'm particularly thankful for this one. If I'm into my multi-tasking, linear mind then it is impossible to make sense of this poetic, inspirational work. There are other books available which talk about the Heart Sutra and other Lex Hixon books that are easier to read. How wonderful. But this particular book remains one of the most important ones in my life.

This book is pure excellence. Hixon's clarity of thought and meditations on this epic text takes one beyond. Highly recommended for students of non-duality and advanced Buddhist scripture.

I have to tell you - I'm new to Buddhism and new to Lex Hixon, but this book, and Buddhism and Hixon, will be a major part of the rest of my life. I think I will need to read a few pages every day in order to ever fully understand it (I've read it through completely twice already), yet the clarity of the Bodhisattva Ideal shines through, and each page has some clarification on what is reqired of each of us to lead a worthwhile life. I think this is the clearest and most readable translation of the most profound religious and spiritual teaching ever expounded. I am so happy I found this.

Lex Hixon was a prolific Sufi mystic and writer and has written extensively outside the scope of what is normally covered in Sufism. This is one of those principally amazing accounts. Because Lex was not a traditionalist practitioner of Mahayana Buddhism (continually through his life) and had a very diverse background in spiritual thought - there is a sense of robustness in his interpretation and explanation of the Prajna Paramita.The text itself speaks of its relevance to practitioners, non-practitioners (but spiritually inclined) and those who simply want to evaluate the text on a historical/philosophical basis.Hixon believes that the text has a living nature of spirituality which awakens in the student as they peruse through the text, while he borrows extensively from previous contributors (From Nagarjuna to Tsongkhapa to even Red Pine) there is a substantial uniqueness in his perspective of the text, one which is devoid of the overly strict dogmatic interpretation of Shunya that one finds in other commentaries (e.g. the Heart Attack Sutra).The text has a unique relevance to Yogacara, Madhyamika as well as pure Tantrism yet stands independent to all this. Hixon believes this to be the thesis of his book and tries to investigate the Sutra from its own independent standpoint. His explanations and reasoning for developing his opinions are fantastic and truly enrich the understanding of the Sutras for the reader.The text is written in simple language, not highly technical with Pali/Sanskrit//Chinese terms nor is it academic rhetoric. This particular feature makes the deep and rather confounding knowledge of the Sutras approachable to the casual reader who is curious about the Sutra and Buddhism in general.

Finding ones way around Buddhist scriptures can be a bit confusing. After much reading of introductions and notes in other books and many Amazon searches, I figured out that the Prajanaparamita Sutra in 8000 Lines is an older, basic precursor to the Heart Sutra. I bought the translation by Conze and began earnestly reading it. However, because of its density and quirky translation of certain terms, it is more academically inspiring than spiritually inspiring! Then I saw this book and splurged for another "translation." Don't be turned off because it is "only" a modern paraphrase. The transparency of modern language lets the true meaning of emptiness shine through and affect the way you see everything. Truly beautiful. Thank you, Bodhisattva Lex Hixon.

This translation is a contemplative expansion of 40 passages from the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8,000 Lines yielding a text of devotional beauty that is poetic and uplifting making it a spiritually inspiring book.

Incredible book, will need reading slowly, again and again. My favorite Buddhist book right now.

this book is really a high class presentation. the fourty selections are excellent. the introduction is very well done and the practice items (including the heart sutra) are significant. for advanced students. billy name

This book clarifies the Path when my mind get all tangled up in concepts.I really wish it was also in Kindle format though.

La Prajnaparamita est l'enseignement du Bouddha traitant de la nature de la réalité, le développement de la sagesse qui dans sa radiance dissous tout égoïsme et la réalisation d'une compassion universelle. Cette sagesse profonde, cette sagesse au delà de tout, illumine toute chose, et méditer sur elle, sur ces textes, les chanter, chercher à intégrer leur philosophie, illumine la vie d'une lumière bienfaisante.La Prajnaparamita est expliqué par de nombreux textes, le plus court faisant une lettre, et le plus long des milliers de versets, et au milieu on a le sutra du diamant, le sutra du cœur... Ce livre présente des passages d'un des sutras les plus reconnus.On y voit des discussions entre le Bouddha et ses disciples et autres êtres célestes merveilleux à propos de la nature de la plus haute sagesse, la Prajnaparamita, la Mère de tous les Bouddhas.Ce livre rayonne quelque chose de vraiment profond. Parfois, on ne serait expliqué vraiment certains passage du livre, et pourtant, on sent le corps et le cœur vibrer. C'est poétique, profond et transmet quelque chose de très particulier.Quand on étudie cela, on se dit que le bouddhisme tel qu'indiqué dans les textes fondateurs est très loin de prôner un détachement au monde, mais plutôt un détachement à l'égoïsme pour embrasser un amour universel et une sagesse transcendante. En ce sens, on pourrait même faire des parallèles avec les évangiles, mais avec un langage autre.Lex Hixon est un chercheur spirituel totalement sincère et profond, qui a été, comme Ramakrishna, un exemple de ce qu'est un pratiquant ancré dans l'Universel.La Prajnaparamita offre une philosophie sur laquelle s'appuie bien des pratiques du bouddhisme tibétain (le Vajrayana).Le lama Zopa Rimpoche, le fils spirituel du lama Yeshe, indique dans une retraite que l'étude de la Prajnaparamita est décrite par un maitre comme les pratiques préliminaires supérieur, alors que les pratiques préliminaires "inférieurs" seraient l'offrande de mandala, prosternations... même si évidemment le ngondro, les pratiques préliminaires classiques, sont bien sur loin d'être inférieure ou manquer de profondeur.Bien plus même qu'une philosophie, la Prajnaparamita est une déesse, la Mère qui est pure présence, unité, et elle enfante en nous la nature de Bouddha.Je recommande.

"...this "contemplative expansion" of forty passages from the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8000 lines - a basic scripture of all schools of Mahayana Buddhism - yields a text of devotional beauty that is poetic and uplifting. Through dramatic conversations between the Buddha and his disciples Shariputra, Subhuti, and Ananda, the bodhisattva path to enlightenment is revealed."The vibrancy of Hixon's language mixes with the simplicity of sutra structure to create a book of great charm and sympathy."-Publishers Weekly."Lex's translation of the Prajnaparamita Sutra is wonderful. He phrases the concepts in a way people can hear, with empathy and an undeniable spiritual quality. I give this text my highest recommendation."-Ken Wilber."Lex Hixon's book, in its daring extravagance and mystical passion, will bring any seeker from any tradition - if they allow themselves the luxury of expanding into the effortless space that Hixon and the Goddess of Wisdom open for them - into a more profound relationship with the Absolute."-Andrew Harvey." - from BackcoverLex Hixon (1941-1995) was an accomplished poet, philosopher and spiritual practitioner and teacher.In addition to the selections from the Prajnaparamita Sutra there are also a number of free translations of texts by Tilopa and Je Tsongkhapa, a translation of the Heart Sutra and several others.There is also a complete translation of the Prajnaparamita Sutra in 8,000 lines available in a translation by Edward Conze (1904-1979) (The Perfection of Wisdom), which I also recommend.

This is the most stunning and insightful text I have ever read. I couldn't recommend this book enough, and I recommend it frequently. The translation by Lex Hixon is excellent and precise, and the teaching is supreme. It is the most profound book I have ever read.

i cannot recommend this book enough, a bright beacon to light the way, lex dixon did the universe a favour with this beautiful modern commentary. oh yes, yes , yes. takes one to the heart.