These books and articles are part of our commitment to sharing wisdom and well-being for the benefit of all. Rooted in timeless teachings and practical insights, they are made possible through the generosity of those who value such efforts.
In keeping with the spirit of Dāna (generosity), our work continues through the kindness of those who wish to support our publications. If you have found these books meaningful and would like to contribute towards future publications and community initiatives, you are welcome to do so.
Click here for more details on how you may offer support, or reach out to us at contact_us@compassionwisdomvihara.org.
May your generosity bring wisdom, well-being, and happiness to yourself and all beings.
The Lotus Sūtra’s Universal Gate Chapter on Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara unveils the compassionate vows and skilful means of Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, who responds to the cries of the world with boundless mercy and wisdom. Through countless manifestations, Avalokiteśvara offers protection from fear, liberation from suffering, and guidance toward peace and awakening.
Spoken by Buddha Śākyamuni on Vulture Peak, this chapter reveals how the mere mindfulness of Avalokiteśvara’s name opens the gateway to deliverance, transforming afflictions into serenity and despair into faith and strength.
Revered across generations, this scripture inspires faith in the Bodhisattva’s ever-present compassion and reminds practitioners of the universal capacity for kindness within all beings.
Presented with both the original Chinese text and an English translation, this edition serves as a valuable companion for chanting, study, or reflection. Whether read in devotion or in quiet contemplation, the Universal Gate Chapter stands as a luminous guide to compassion, courage, and the awakening of the heart.
The Medicine Buddha Sūtra reveals the boundless compassion of the Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Radiance, whose twelve great vows promise healing, relief from suffering, the removal of obstacles, and guidance toward awakening. Spoken by Śākyamuni Buddha at the request of Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī, this scripture teaches how the Medicine Buddha’s name carries the power to purify karmic obstructions, calm the mind, and inspire the cultivation of virtue.
The text offers vivid depictions of the Medicine Buddha’s pure land—a realm of radiant clarity, free from pain and delusion—and describes the profound benefits awaiting those who hear, recite, or contemplate his name.
Carefully translated, this edition presents both the original Chinese text and its English rendering, making it an invaluable resource for study, recitation, or contemplation. Whether for personal spiritual practice or communal chanting, the Medicine Buddha Sūtra serves as a timeless guide to healing, compassion, and the realisation of the true nature within all beings.
In our journey through this ever-changing world, we often long for a place of true peace and clarity, a place beyond suffering, where compassion and wisdom guide every moment. “The Amitābha Sūtra, as discoursed by the Buddha”, points us to such a realm: The Land of Ultimate Bliss (Sukhāvatī), presided over by Amitābha Buddha.
This English edition has been refined for modern readers, while preserving key traditional terms that carry the spirit and depth of the original teachings. We offer this version with reverence, mindful that it may serve as a bridge for the heart to connect with the Western Pure Land, and inspiring the mind with faith, joy and aspiration.
May this text support the practice of “念佛” (the mindful recitation of Amitābha Buddha’s name) and guide countless beings across the shores of suffering to liberation.
Author: Venerable Shi Chuan Jia
“Gone, gone, gone beyond—completely gone beyond—Enlightenment, all accomplished.”
The Heart Sūtra is one of the most treasured scriptures in Mahāyāna Buddhism—brief, yet profound. Recited daily by countless practitioners, its verses offer deep insight into the nature of Emptiness and the path to awakening.
This book offers more than just a translation. It serves as a companion for those seeking to understand the Heart Sūtra beyond words, linking its wisdom to core Buddhist teachings such as the Five Aggregates, the Six Pāramitās, and Dependent Origination.
Written in a clear and accessible style, this text is ideal for both new and experienced practitioners who wish to incorporate the Heart Sūtra into their daily lives—not just as a chant, but as a source of clarity, peace, and compassionate action.
Let this timeless teaching be a mirror, a guide, and a quiet light on your path.
Deepen your understanding of the Heart Sūtra with Venerable Shi Chuan Jia in a four-session workshop. Register now!
(Third Edition)
Author: Venerable Shi Chuan Jia
Feeling overwhelmed by life’s constant demands? Struggling to find meaning and peace in the chaos? You are not alone. In a world that never slows down, stress and frustration are inevitable—but there is a way forward. “Planting Seeds, Cultivating Happiness” brings you timeless Buddhist wisdom, offering you a clear path to navigate life’s challenges with mindfulness, compassion, and clarity. Inspired by the Buddha’s teachings on suffering and liberation, this book shows you how to shift your mindset and create a life of purpose and inner calm. With simple and powerful steps, you will unlock lasting happiness, restore balance, and transform your life—one mindful moment at a time.
Author: Venerable Shi Chuan Jia
Life is fleeting, desires are endless, and suffering persists — yet wisdom offers a path to liberation.
This book distils the Buddha’s teachings into eight profound insights, guiding practitioners toward a life of wisdom, compassion, and selfless service. More than a theoretical discourse, this sutra reveals how these realisations are living practices — stepping stones toward enlightenment.
Venerable Shi Chuan Jia presents a clear and practical exploration of the sutra’s timeless wisdom, offering reflections and applications for modern-day practitioners. Whether you are new to Buddhism or deep in your practice, this book serves as a valuable companion on the path to awakening.
May the teachings within inspire you to cultivate wisdom, embrace compassion, and walk the Bodhisattva path with courage and clarity.
Author: Christina B.
A collection of 55 thought-provoking reflections that invite you to pause, reframe and rediscover meaning in everyday experiences. Whether you seek clarity, comfort or inspiration, this book offers gentle reminders that even the smallest shifts in perspective can lead to profound transformation.
By: Venerable Shi Chuan Jia
This article explores how meditation, ethics, and morality are deeply intertwined in Buddhism, forming the foundation for wisdom and liberation.
First published on : Awaken Online Issue 59.
By: Venerable Shi Chuan Jia
This article is a reflection on a nine-day meditation retreat at the Dhammagiri Foundation in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. It details the daily routine, challenges, and transformative experiences of participating in the Thai forest monastic tradition. The article highlights insights gained, including improved meditation focus, physical endurance and a deeper appreciation for monastic life.
First published on Awaken Online Issue 56.
