Hidden for centuries in a sealedup cave in northwest china, this copy of the diamondsutra is the worlds earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. Like other sutras, it is a collection of mystical and spiritual aphorisms intended as subjects for meditation and thence guidance towards enlightened. Watch out too for an intriguing discussion of the sutra as vajrapani and as a zen master. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. From genesis to the diamond sutra it was my intention some years ago to write a fulllength comparative study of buddhism and christianity, but old age, and therewith the partial loss of. But im not sure i agree with the professors interpretation of the a is not a statements, so ill turn to thich nhat hanh about that. The diamond sutra, the heart sutra, the sutra of hui neng read by ratnadhya these three sutras are the most important texts for the chan chinese and zen japanese buddhist traditions. It is a sacred scripture of mahayana hinduism and buddhism and it was originally written down in sanskrit. This translation has been prepared by the buddhist text translation society of the sinoamerican buddhist association, under the auspices of gold mountain dhyana monastery, 1731 15th street, san francisco. The vajra prajna paramita sutra also known as the vajracchedika or diamond sutra based on audio recordings of lectures given by master hua at the buddhist lecture hall in san francisco, 1968 paperback price. May 12, 2016 diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce may 12, 2016 diamond sutra sanskrit. Buddha said to rabjul, the benefits of the diamond sutra are as followslistening to the diamond sutra generates merit far greater than the merit gained from making charity of the body as many times as. The diamond sutra may look like a book, but its really the body of the buddha.
This audio reading of the diamond sutra was sent to me by ryan, a reader of this site who was inspired to make an audio version of this translation of the diamond sutra. About the book the diamond sutras chinese localization has not changed the meaning of the sutra, but it has influenced the way it is practiced and the attitude people have towards the sutra, altering the relationship between buddhists and the sutra and the role the sutra plays in peoples lives. This copy of the diamond sutra is the worlds earliest, dated, printed book ad 868. Some very funny parts to this talk and some excellent evocations of rigorous dharma practice as part of the everyday business of life. Get book recommendations, fiction, poetry, and dispatches from the world of. With his customary dry wit and sharp eye he leads us on the crazy paving path through the diamond sutra a text guaranteed to turn your world upsidedown. About the book the diamond sutras chinese localization has not changed the meaning of the sutra, but it has influenced the way it is practiced and the attitude people have towards the sutra, altering the. The vajra prajna paramita sutra also known as the vajracchedika or diamond sutra based on audio recordings of lectures given by master hua at the buddhist lecture hall in san. It is a remarkable document, telling the history of the sixth chan patriarch, hui neng 6387, a semilegendary teacher. In this diamond sutra, also known as the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra, buddha says, this sutra should be called the diamond perfection of wisdom sutra, because it has the capacity to cut through. If you would like to know more about the diamond sutra as a buddhist teaching, one of the most accessible ways to learn is through videos by an american monk named hyungak paul muenzen. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds. The diamond sutra read more the diamond sutra is one of the most important sutras in chinese buddhism, and it has had a great influence on chinese culture.
The diamond sutra sung in english audiobook by sharon. It was produced on the 11 may 868, according to the western calendar. The buddhist text known as the diamond sutra is believed to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world. The book of kells, the gutenberg bible, and the dead sea scrolls. The diamond sutra, the heart sutra, the sutra of hui neng audible. There are many stories from zen masters and their interpretations of each chapter. Translated into a variety of languages over a broad geographic range, the diamond sutra is one of the most influential mahayana sutras in east asia, and it is particularly prominent within the chan or zen tradition, along with the h. The dhammapada full audiobook buddhism teachings of. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. A central text of indian buddhism, the diamond sutra was first.
According to tradition, these are verses spoken by the buddha on various occasions, most of which deal with ethics. It was found in the dunhuang caves in china in 1900. The diamond sutra, the heart sutra, the sutra of hui neng. It is meant for a general audience explaining the history of the sutra, how it lay buried for a years in. The first clue about the theme, so to speak, of this sutra, is to understand it is one of the prajnaparamita perfection of wisdom sutras. Written more than 25 centuries ago, the diamond sutra is the first text to record the buddhas own. That, of course, is putting it simply, as only buddhists can do. It is meant for a general audience explaining the history of the sutra, how it lay buried for a years in dunhuang, and how it came to the british library. The audio books on this site are free to listen too, but if you wish to make a donation to windhorse publications, you can do so by clicking here. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the origins of the diamond sutra and information about how this new translation was done. Buddhist sutras have preserved and transmitted the direct words and teachings of sakyamuni buddha at first as. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Dharma audiobooks is a new audiobook label with a clear brief.
The diamond cutter sutra sung in english aka diamond sutra. The diamond sutra vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is one of the. The diamond cutter sutra also known as the diamond sutra or the vajra cutter sutra is a discourse on the buddhist concept of emptiness or wisdom gone beyond. It was produced on the 11 may 868, according to the. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. The diamond sutra is the sutra on nonattachment or the perfection of wisdom. This book is an excellent look at the diamond sutra at the british library, the oldest dated printed book. The sutra of hui neng is the longest of these three works, and is different again. The diamond sutra is the earliest book to which a printing date can be assigned 868 ce. The diamond sutra of 868 now lives at the british library, whose turning the pages project includes close looks online at the worlds oldest printed book. Osho comments in a series of talks on these sutras and brings buddhas teachings into the 21st century. Listen in on an enlightening conversation between the buddha and his disciple subhuti part of the night lotus productions offering. This copy of the diamond sutra in chinese language, complete with a beautifully illustrated frontispiece, is the worlds earliest dated, printed book.
Red pine has produced a translation and commentary on the diamond sutra which help greatly in exploring it. I studied this book on and off for 6 months and i will continue to come back to it as being definitive on the subject. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a. Printed copy of the diamond sutra the british library. Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce history. The diamond sutra goodreads meet your next favorite book. Dec 05, 2002 the diamond sutra is about 30 pages long, but he spends 400 pages breaking the sutra down and making it accessible.
The diamond sutra by red pine overdrive rakuten overdrive. When it comes to ancient texts, most are familiar with the big names. This is from his book the diamond that cuts through illusion. This wouldnt be the first book on buddhism i would dive into however. The sanskrit title of the diamond sutra translates as the perfection of wisdom which cuts like a thunderbolt. It is one of the most profitable practices, because the root of all sufferings, yours and others, is the ignorance holding the i as truly existent, even though it is empty of that. Jul 29, 2018 thats a lot closer to the deeper meaning than saying the sutra is about impermanence. This audio reading of the diamond sutra was sent to me by ryan, a reader of this site who was inspired to make an audio version of this translation of the. Audio reading of diamond sutra diamond sutra a new. Everything you need to know about the ancient diamond sutra. Written more than 25 centuries ago, the diamond sutra is the first text to record the buddhas own teachings, and it remains one of the most popular.
Written by anonymous, audiobook narrated by ratnadhya. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana buddhist sutra from the prajnaparamita, or perfection of wisdom genre, and emphasizes the practice of nonabiding and nonattachment. Homage to the perfection of wisdom, the lovely, the holy. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception. The dhammapada full audiobook buddhism teachings of the. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the. It is is considered one of the most important pieces of theravada literature. Seven strips of yellowstained paper were printed from carved wooden blocks and pasted together to form a scroll over 5m long. And sometimes again we allow ourselves the luxury if you like of just floating back into the past, not to say drifting back into the. The diamond sutra the diamond sutra is one of gautama the buddha. Access the fpmt website for the latest translations in many languages, a special dedication written by lama zopa rinpoche, and rinpoches teaching on the benefits of reciting this. Sep 04, 2018 when it comes to ancient texts, most are familiar with the big names. The diamond sutra is one of the few texts of whatever type that will repay endless study and which can transform the life of the receptive reader.
But its a body with nothing inside and nothing outside. I studied this book on and off for 6 months and i will continue to. The opening gatha was composed by thich nhat hanh to precede the translation. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. It is a record of the sayings of gautam the buddha as recalled by his chief disciple, ananda. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception, and is one of the most important sacred works of the buddhist faith. This is the buddhist teaching on the perfection of wisdom and cuts through all obstacles on the path of practice.
The diamond sutra, composed in india in the fourth century ce, is one of the most treasured works of buddhist literature and is the oldest existing printed book in the world. The diamond sutra in sanskrit and english translated from. But one that most people dont know about is the diamond sutra the worlds earliest dated and printed book. Ebook the vajra paramita sutra buddhist text translation. Feb 05, 20 according to tradition, these are verses spoken by the buddha on various occasions, most of which deal with ethics. Jun 25, 2015 this translation of the diamond that cuts through illusion, sometimes known simply as the diamond sutra, has been prepared by thich nhat hanh from the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra in sanskrit, and the chinese taisho revised tripitaka, no. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana sutra from the prajnaparamita sutras or perfection of wisdom genre. Course year four drama of cosmic enlightenment early writings 19441954 facing mount kanchenjunga from genesis to the diamond. It is a remarkable document, telling the history of the sixth chan patriarch, hui neng 6387, a semilegendary teacher who, though uneducated and illiterate, gained enlightenment when accidentally hearing the diamond sutra being recited.
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