In Zen communities around the world, we chant the Maha Prajna Paramita Shin Gyo — Great Wisdom Perfection Heart Sutra. It expresses the heart of Buddhist wisdom and describes emptiness, impermanence and liberation from suffering in great detail.

At the same time, this prajna, this wisdom, or understanding, is elusive. We can’t learn it, memorize it, or acquire it. Yet, it is the reality of all existence and the manifestation of awakening.

Suzuki Roshi said “when you know how to live correctly on this shore (the shore of self-clinging and suffering), you are already on the other shore (the shore of liberation).” There really is no place else to go.