Polyscript Audiobooks

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Classic and public-domain literature read aloud in the original language paired with English — Ancient Greek, German, French, Polish and more.

  1. Episode 1

    The Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom, the Blessed Mother

    In this famous scripture, known popularly as The Heart Sūtra , the Buddha Śākyamuni inspires his senior monk Śāriputra to request instructions from the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara on the way to practice the perfection of wisdom. Avalokiteśvara then describes how an aspiring practitioner of the perfection of wisdom must first understand how all phenomena lack an intrinsic nature, which amounts to the realization of emptiness . Next, Avalokiteśvara reveals a brief mantra that the practitioner can recite as a method for engendering this understanding experientially. Following Avalokiteśvara ’s teaching, the Buddha offers his endorsement and confirms that this is the foremost way to practice the perfection of wisdom.

  2. Episode 2

    The Sūryagarbha Perfection of Wisdom

    The Sūryagarbha Perfection of Wisdom is a condensed prajñāpāramitā sūtra in the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattva Sūryaprabhāsa , who asks the Buddha how bodhisattvas skilled in means should train themselves in the perfection of wisdom. In response, the Buddha explains that a bodhisattva should train in a meditative stability called the sun or the sun skilled in means , elaborating upon the qualities of this meditative stability using the analogy of the sun in terms of seven qualities. He then further describes the training of the bodhisattva in the perfection of wisdom as training concerning the true nature of all phenomena, which is characterized in familiar terms found in the long prajñāpāramitā sūtras. It is also described in terms of the various designations for ultimate truth. Finally, the Buddha enumerates the characteristics of the one who trains in the perfection of wisdom, ending with a verse of instruction.

  3. Episode 3

    The Candragarbha Perfection of Wisdom

    The Candragarbha Perfection of Wisdom is a condensed prajñāpāramitā sūtra that takes the form of a dialogue between the Buddha and the bodhisattva Candragarbha . In response to Candragarbha ’s question about how bodhisattvas should train themselves in the perfection of wisdom , the Buddha declares that the perfection of wisdom lies in the understanding that all phenomena are devoid of entities, using the analogy of the moon to clarify the meaning of this declaration. Candragarbha then asks the Buddha how many kinds of perfection of wisdom exist for bodhisattvas . The Buddha answers by describing two types of perfection of wisdom , “ contaminated ” and “ uncontaminated ,” and he elucidates the nature of the perfection of wisdom with reference to the ultimate nature of all phenomena. At the end of this discourse, the Buddha presents a mantra of the perfection of wisdom , followed by a summary verse.

  4. Episode 4

    Xenophon, Anabasis Book 1, Chapter 1 (Greek + English)

    Xenophon's Anabasis, Book 1, Chapter 1, read in the original Ancient Greek (Attic pronunciation approximated via phonetic substitutions) paired passage-by-passage with Carleton L. Brownson's English translation.

  5. Episode 5

    Xenophon, Anabasis Book 1, Chapter 2 (Greek + English)

    Xenophon's Anabasis, Book 1, Chapter 2, read in the original Ancient Greek (Attic pronunciation approximated via phonetic substitutions) paired passage-by-passage with Carleton L. Brownson's English translation.

  6. Episode 6

    Xenophon, Anabasis Book 1, Chapter 3 (Greek + English)

    Xenophon's Anabasis, Book 1, Chapter 3, read in the original Ancient Greek (Attic pronunciation approximated via phonetic substitutions) paired passage-by-passage with Carleton L. Brownson's English translation.

  7. Episode 7

    The Glorious King of Tantras “Wisdom Secret”

    Wisdom Secret is one of the thirty-two Rali tantras. It begins with the bodhisattva Vajragarbha requesting an explanation of the true nature ( tattva ) of the four initiations . In response, the Blessed One briefly explains the true nature of the generation stage before delving into a more extensive teaching on the completion stage . This discourse covers the true natures of the channels , winds , and drops as well as caṇḍālī , the four joys , and aspects of the subtle body. The Blessed One also describes the dangers of not understanding the eighteen true natures , an enumeration unique to this tantra. The true natures described within this work are shown to be the key point elevating this system of Buddhist tantra over other non-Buddhist and Buddhist schools. Although the Rali tantras are often said to be associated with the Cakraśaṃvara cycle of Yoginī tantras , the content of Wisdom Secret demonstrates that it is more closely aligned with the Hevajra Tantra .

  8. Episode 8

    The Perfection of Wisdom in a Few Syllables

    The Perfection of Wisdom in a Few Syllables presents a dialogue on Vulture Peak Mountain between the Buddha and Avalokiteśvara , who requests that the Buddha teach the perfection of wisdom in a concise form. The Buddha enters a special meditative state called liberating all beings , emanating light that touches all beings and ensures their eventual awakening. He then shares teachings, a heart mantra, and a dhāraṇī, explaining that this condensed perfection of wisdom is the source of all buddhas and has immense benefits.

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Classic and public-domain literature read aloud in the original language paired with English — Ancient Greek, German, French, Polish and more.

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