Ngong Ping is a highland in the western part of Lantau Island, Hong Kong. It hosts Po Lin Monastery and Tian Tan Buddha amidst the hills and is about 34 meters tall.
Buddhist literature in Hong Kong highlights the wisdom path at the foot of Lantau peak at Ngong Ping, through the “Heart Sutra.” The Buddhist philosophy about wisdom is reflected in Hrudaya Sutra (Heart Sutra). This is a unique text part of the Prajnaparamita or ‘Perfection of Wisdom’ of Mahayana Buddhism. The text has been translated into English multiple times from Chinese, Sanskrit and Tibetan, and other source languages.
Heart sutras at Ngong Ping
Wisdom Path is a landscaped installation of wooden columns inscribed with calligraphy of complete verses of the Heart Sutra in Chinese by master Sinologist Professor Jao Tsung-I. Professor Jao completed this calligraphy of Heart Sutra in 2002 and dedicated it to the people of Hong Kong in June of the same year. The work is now presented in a large-scale wood inscription display in an outdoor environment. The calligraphy has been carved on wooden columns reminiscent of bamboo tiles (zhujian) used for writing in ancient times.
The Heart Sutra articulates the doctrine of “emptiness.” The column located at the highest point of the hill is left blank to suggest the concept of “emptiness” (Shunyata). A key theme in the Heart Sutra is that when one acquires this wisdom of “emptiness” (formless), they will realize that all physical and mental events are constantly changing. Modifying the conditions can change everything.
Dual approach to Heart Sutra
“Awareness of impermanence and appreciation of our human potential will give us a sense of urgency that we must use every precious moment.”
-The great Dalai Lama
There’s no denying that we will experience challenges that we have no control over. If we can face these situations knowing that nothing is permanent, we are more likely to handle and overcome them appropriately.
Heart Sutra also highlights the theory of dependent origination, emphatically mentioning that people are entangled in this materialistic existence due to the non-realization of dependent origination. Doctrinally, there are two ways in which this process of praṭyutpt-samudppāda is approached. In one view, it is held to be something taking place over three lifetimes, and this view goes into the issues of rebirth and karma. My approach today is the second view, which I think is vital and alive, which looks at praṭyutapt-samudppāda as a way of understanding what happens in our world, inwardly and outwardly, on a moment-to-moment level. It’s about what happens in our heart, what happens in our consciousness, and how the kind of world we experience and live in is created every moment.
Based on the Buddha’s statements, we can see a close relationship between the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination. What do the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination have in common? The principle that both have in common is the principle of causality – the law of cause and effect of action and consequence. The first two – suffering and the causes of suffering, the last two – the end of suffering and the path to the end of suffering.
Let’s take an example that establishes the nature of dependent origination. The Buddha has said the flame in an oil lamp burns dependent upon the oil and the wick. When the oil and the wick are present, the flame in an oil lamp burns; if either of these is absent, the flame will cease to burn. This example illustrates the principle of dependent origination concerning a flame in an oil lamp.
Is there any way to achieve wisdom? Yes, we can explore the path in search of wisdom. The teachings of the Heart Sutra are profound and subtle, and we do not pretend to understand them completely. This article is a mere introduction and an attempt to take away a handful of knowledge from the ocean of Buddhist philosophy. If you are looking forward to some positivity and motivation in life, then definitely visit Ngong Ping. One will return with an energized body and contended mind for sure.
