A nuanced reconsideration of the Heart Sūtra , one of the most celebrated and widely chanted texts in Mahayana Buddhism. The Heart Sūtra , one of the most significant texts in Mahayana Buddhism, has been recited daily by monastics across numerous countries for centuries. This monograph critically examines the contentious claim that the Heart Sūtra is a Chinese text of doubtful authenticity, analyzing how these kinds of works are understood in Christian traditions, Chinese Buddhist catalogs, and modern Western academic discourse. Delving into the cultural, historical, and religious factors that influenced other versions of the Heart Sūtra , it offers new insights into the text’s development. This book will appeal to scholars and graduate students in Buddhist studies, as well as practitioners of Mahayana Buddhism seeking to deepen their understanding of this foundational text.