The heart of the prajnaparamita sutra is regarded as the essence of Buddhist teaching. It is recited daily in Mahayana temples and practice centres throughout the world. This translation and commentary are the fruit of the authors more than 40 years of monastic study and practice. Thich Nhat Hanh describes the heart sutra as “avalokitesvara bodhisattva’s precious gift to us, the gift of fearlessness”.