Form Is Emptiness — The Five Skandhas

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In the previous episode, we discuss a teaching that is central throughout the Buddhist world: the Prajnaparamita sutra, also known as The Heart Sutra. While being utterly confounding, at the same time it is a perfect primer on the true meaning of emptiness and ultimate compassion. Turns out, these are the same thing. Who knew?! If you missed it, just go back one episode. 

In this episode, we go through the Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge line by line and look at the various terms (skandha? dhatu?) as well as the main characters (Avalokiteshvara and Sariputra). 

There are many translations of this important teaching. The one discussed in this episode is here. 

To learn more, check out Susan’s new (very short) book, Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra

Discussed in this episode:

Introduction to the Heart Sutra

The Heart Sutra is the “pith” or essence of transcendent wisdom.

Begins with “Thus have I heard,” inviting personal inquiry and interpretation.

Narrated by Ananda (known for memory)

The Setting

The Buddha is in deep meditative absorption (samadhi) surrounded by a full assembly:

Monks (wisdom, foundational teachings)

Bodhisattvas (compassion, Mahayana teachings)

The Core Teaching: Emptiness

Avalokiteshvara realizes the five skandhas (form, feeling, perception, formation, consciousness) are empty of inherent nature.

Famous line begins: “Form is emptiness; emptiness is form.”

Radical Negation

Even foundational teachings like the Four Noble Truths are negated:

No suffering, no cause, no cessation, no path.

Even wisdom and attainment are negated—nothing to gain or strive for.

The Power of Emptiness

Realizing emptiness removes mental obscurations and eradicates fear.

This leads to full awakening—just like all Buddhas of the past, present, and future

The Heart Sutra Mantra

The mantra:

Om gate gate pÄragate pÄrasaṃgate bodhi svÄhÄ

(Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone altogether beyond, awakening, so be it.)

Described as the mantra that calms all suffering and is to be known as truth.

Cosmological Context

Gods, jealous gods (asuras), humans, and celestial beings (gandharvas) all rejoice.

The human realm is ideal for practice: enough comfort to contemplate, enough suffering to be motivated.

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Produced by Citizens of Sound

Music by: Derek O'Brien

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