The Diamond Sutra (Chin-Kang-Ching) or Prajna-Paramita

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Unknown

Contributor:

Gemmell, William

Kumarajiva

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Diamond Sutra" by Unknown is a significant religious text, likely written in the early centuries of Buddhism. This work is one of the most esteemed and widely read sutras in Mahayana Buddhist literature, focusing on the teachings of Buddha as he imparts wisdom on the nature of reality and enlightenment to his disciple, Subhuti. The text explores profound philosophical concepts that seek to transcend conventional understanding, as it delves into themes such as non-attachment, the illusory nature of phenomena, and the path to achieving ultimate wisdom. The beginning of "The Diamond Sutra" establishes a narrative framework wherein the Lord Buddha, residing in Shravasti, engages with his gathering of disciples, including Subhuti. The discourse initiates as Subhuti inquires about the immutable laws that could guide a disciple toward supreme wisdom. Buddha responds by addressing the nature of phenomena, emphasizing that true understanding comes from detaching from conventional concepts of self and experience. Throughout the initial chapters, the emphasis is placed on seeking deliverance from the illusory constructs of reality and cultivating a mind free from inordinate desires, setting the stage for deeper explorations of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Ronald Grenier from page images generously made available by the Internet Archive/Cornell University Libraries

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_Sutra

Reading ease score: 48.9 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Release date is 2021-02-25