Hannyashingyo... Called in English "Heart Sutra", this sutra is an extremely brief summary of the essence of the Hannyakyo (one of the six sutras thought to be needed to have enlightenment). It is probably the best known sutra and used in all sects of Buddhism in Japan except for a few. Despite its popularity, Heart Sutra is very difficult to understand because of the obscure and code-like wording. Many books have been written in an attempt to interpret it. The main message of it, though, is emptiness. Everything that exists is in a state of flux and in transience. Therefore it is meaningless to become attached to them. People suffer when they can't get what they want or lose something they love because of the attachments. By ridding yourself of the attachments, and understanding the emptiness, you will get close to the enlightenment.

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