Diamond Sutra

Any one who, for only a second, gives rise to a pure and clear confidence upon hearing these words of the Tathagata, the Tathagata sees and knows that person, and he or she will attain immeasurable happiness because of this understanding.

This sutra is the Diamond that Cuts through Illusion, the one that brings confidence and the realization that we are not different or separate at all. Just like a diamond, there are many hidden facets to this sutra, and it bears re-reading to find all the wisdom reflected within.

Diamond Sutra from the British Library

in 3-D

Landmarks in Printing - Diamond Sutra

This beautiful copy of the Diamond Sutra, now in the British Library collection, is the earliest known complete dated printed book. The 5m long Chinese block-printed scroll dates from 868 AD. If your browser blocks pop-ups, you may have trouble viewing the scroll, but the website is still very informative with a great deal of historical information about the document. More here.

Links to the Text

Diamond Sutra: A relatively modern translation by the Lotus Sutra Study Center.

That day, when it was time to make the round for alms, the Buddha put on his sanghati robe and, holding his bowl, went into the city of Shravasti to seek alms food, going from house to house. When the alms round was completed, he returned to the monastery to eat the midday meal. Then he put away his sanghati robe and his bowl, washed his feet, arranged his cushion, and sat down.
Diamond Sutra: Translation published by the DaeJang Gyong Research Institute of Haein-sa Monastery, Korea. Edited by Richard St. Clair.
Index to the Diamond Sutra: Index and a link to a modern translation: ''A Bodhisattva should practice virtue without regard to appearances, unsupported by sights, sounds, smells, tastes, tactile sensations or mental attachments. A Bodhisattva should practice virtue without attachment to externals. Why? This is the way to being Buddha.''
The Diamond Cutter: An Exalted Sutra of the Greater Way on the Perfection of Wisdom: Very elegant document in Tibetan and English. The Tibetan was translated from Sanskrit, and the English translated from Tibetan. PDF document.
The Diamond Sutra: Translated by A. F. Price and Wong Mou-Lam: ''No, World-honored One; the Tathagata cannot be recognized by any material characteristic. Wherefore? Because the Tathagata has said that material characteristics are not, in fact, material characteristics.''
The Diamond Sutra: Abbreviated version from the Zen Buddhist Order of Hsu Yun: ''There will always be Bodhisattvas who are virtuous and wise; and, in the eons to come, these Bodhisattva will place their roots of merit under many Bodhi trees. They will receive this teaching and they will respond with serene faith for there will always be Buddhas to inspire them.''
The Diamond Sutra: Abridged version by George Boeree, Ph.D., that removes the more repetitive aspects of the original.
The Diamond Sutra Translated by Charles Muller: Concise translation with table of contents: ''Subhuti, that which is called the buddhadharma is not the buddhadharma.''
The Diamond Perfection of Wisdom Sutra: PDF file with an English translation by Charles Patton from the Chinese version of Kumarajiva: ''The signs ordinary people possess are signs that are all empty and mistaken. If one sees that these signs are not signs, then one sees the Tathàgata.''
Core Teachings of the Diamond Sutra: Lovely site with full text, plus the core teachings carefully layed out with illustrations, some by the artist Fernando Casas. Also has audio files of the Diamond and Heart sutras.

Thus have I heard. Once upon a time, the Buddha sojourned in the Jetavana park near Sravasti with an assembly of twelve hundred and fifty bhiksus.