ISBN978-4-7631-3186-7
215 pages / November 2011 / 1,500 yen (w/o tax)
There's a way of life that suits you perfectly.
Here are precious words that will stay close to you as you walk through life.
Writing about women and having chosen to walk the difficult path of priesthood, the author presents a life story alongside the Heart Sutra.
The places she has been to, the AIDS patients she met during her research, young prostitutes, her experiences when climbing mountains and going on pilgrimages — in the midst of different human portraits written along with the Heart Sutra, you’ll be able to see a better way to live your life.
Find the latent divine power within you
Perform small acts of kindness
Only you can make your life the way you want it to be
Your struggles begin with your thinking
Always look on the bright side
Make a choice to step out into a bigger world
Learn to love yourself, even your weaknesses
One word can double someone’s happiness
You are your own teacher
Shoko Ieda, a non-fiction writer, is a member of the Shingon Buddhist sect and leads the strict lifestyle of a nun. In this book, Ms. Ieda talks frankly about what she has learned writing about numerous women over a long period of time, her pilgrimages, journeys to mountains, becoming a nun and her life as a nun, and even her own experiences as a woman. When you read and understand the explanations of Hannya Shingyo (the Heart Sutra) found in the book, you will be inspired by the different human portraits and find guidelines on how to live your life. There is definitely something new to discover even for people who already know the Heart Sutra. Furthermore, you are certain to come to know the warmth of your divine self. Though the title of the book is Heart Sutra for Women, I recommend this powerful book for the young and the old, and for men and women.