If you only read one book in life, this is the one…
If you only read one book in life, this is the one…
The Diamond Sutra.
The wisdom it imparts can change one’s destiny and life.
Although the Diamond Sutra is a Buddhist scripture, it is not a religious book, rather it is imbued with the extraordinary wisdom on how to live life, in a fulfilling and wealthy way.
It teaches us how to conduct ourselves, how to handle affairs, and how to cope with the impermanence of life.
The wisdom of the Diamond Sutra transcends all religious boundaries, therefore, we should not confine it merely to the realm of religion when studying the book.
If you have experienced troubles, pain, anxieties, or confusion in life, reading the Diamond Sutra will certainly be beneficial to you.
The full name of the Diamond Sutra refers to the Diamond Perfection of Wisdom Sutra.
“Diamond” signifies something that is indestructible and the hardest of all things.
“Perfection of Wisdom” refers to the great wisdom that enables one to understand the path to attain enlightenment.
It contains not the trendy intelligence or common wisdom but the fundamental wisdom that understands the metaphysical source of life and the true nature of existence.
Thus, the term “wisdom” alone is insufficient to fully express the meaning of “Perfection of Wisdom,” which is why it is transliterated as “Prajnaparamita.”
“Perfection” is generally translated as “reaching the other shore,” meaning the wisdom that can cut through all phenomena and afflictions, leading people out of the sea of suffering to the other shore.
Years ago, by chance, I heard a teacher sharing the Diamond Sutra and realized that Buddhism is not superstition but a form of wisdom.
Even if one does not believe in the religion, one can still benefit from its wisdom.
Later, after reading the sutras myself, I understood that the Buddha did not ask people to burn incense and worship him. He taught people how to save themselves.
Have you ever wondered:
So many people pray to the Buddha for blessings every day — how could the Buddha possibly attend to everyone?
If two individuals have a legal dispute and both burn incense for the Buddha’s blessings, whose side will the Buddha take? Will he favor the one who burns more incense?
The Buddha and bodhisattvas cannot manage our trivial matters.
We must seek our own fortune. Just as Taoism says, “My fate is in my hands, not in heaven.”
People must rely on themselves, and how? The Buddha has shown you the way to liberation, by its scripture the Diamond Sutra.
After studying the Diamond Sutra, you realize that you, too, can be a Buddha.
Many people worship the Buddha but do not truly learn from him.
Only by learning the wisdom of Buddhism can you achieve liberation. Burning incense and worshipping the Buddha will not bring liberation.
Thus, the impact of the Diamond Sutra is immense.
Once upon a time, there was a woodcutter who made a living by chopping and selling firewood. Once, while selling firewood, he heard someone reciting the Diamond Sutra and had a moment of enlightenment. He then made a vow to learn and went to the Eastern Zen Temple to seek the Dharma from the Fifth Patriarch, Hongren. And he eventually became the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng. Thus, the Diamond Sutra also became one of the most important scriptures in Zen Buddhism. As important as it is, it is something that, given some effort, anyone can understand.
The Diamond Sutra has six different translations, but the version translated by Kumarajiva remains unparalleled and is the most widely spread.
Kumarajiva’s literary skill was exceptionally high. His translation of the Diamond Sutra has a unique and elegant literary style, creating a special and touching Buddhist literature in the history of Chinese literature.
Although later translators like Xuanzang also translated the Diamond Sutra, none have surpassed Kumarajiva in literary charm.
For example, the well-known verse from the Diamond Sutra:
“All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows, like dew and like lightning. They should be regarded in this way.”
Thus, when we read the sentences of the Diamond Sutra today, they are so elegant and aptly expressed. He created a new form of Buddhist literature.
Kumarajiva was a legendary figure, one of the four great translators of Buddhist scriptures in the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
Kumarajiva attained enlightenment at the age of 12 and arrived in China at 30. Because of his profound knowledge, three countries once fought over him. His translations cover almost every aspect of the vast Buddhist scriptures, and most of his translations are the foundational texts of various Chinese Buddhist schools.
The well-known line from the Heart Sutra, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,” also comes from Kumarajiva’s hand.
Due to his exceptional understanding of language and literary skill, his translations have remained unchanged for over 1,600 years.
In 413 AD, at the age of 70, Kumarajiva passed away in Chang’an. Before his death, he said, “If the scriptures I have translated are without error, may my tongue remain unscorched after my body is cremated.” Indeed, while his body turned to ashes, his tongue remained intact.
The Diamond Sutra we see today is divided into thirty-two chapters, edited by Prince Xiao Ming of the Liang Dynasty.
The original version of the Diamond Sutra did not have chapters. Prince Xiao Ming, based on the profound meanings of the sutra, highlighted the key points of each section with titles, forming the thirty-two chapters.
So, what is the wisdom contained in the Diamond Sutra?
Please join me in diving into this classic and exploring the wisdom of the Diamond Sutra.
Summary:
The Diamond Sutra is not just a religious text, but it is the ultimate guide on wisdom and enlightment.
Its teaching can help us navigate the impermanence of life and achieve true liberation with enlightenment.
And we can gain insights and wisdom that are both timeless and universally applicable.
To your success,
Connie
