Monierwilliams entry dictionary article on the word vajra. The verse seems to be about impermanence, so we are often told the diamond sutra primarily is about impermanence. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana sutra from the prajnaparamita sutras or perfection of wisdom genre. Jan, 2016 maheswara sutra is the most ancient known sanskrit alphabet sequence. The famous printed copy of a chinese translation is currently on display at the british library. Full text of the diamond sutra chin kang ching, or, prajnaparamita see other formats. The diamond sutra the vajracchedikaprajnaparamita sutra thus have i heard. In sanskrit, the diamond sutra is called the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra, which means, the perfect wisdom that cuts like a thunderbolt. At the core of this book is the heart of prajna paramita sutra itself.
Background and importance the diamond sutra is believed to have been composed sometime between 300 and 500 bce. Patanjali yoga sutras 3 introduction before going into the yoga aphorisms i will try to discuss one great question, upon which the whole theory of religion rests, for. This sutra appears in thich nhat hanh, chanting from the. Text and commentaries translated from sanskrit and chinese counterpoint the diamond sutra, translated from the sanskrit mostly from the editions by max muller and edward conze with selections of indian and chan commentary from figures such as asanga, vasubandhu, huineng, linji and chiang wei. The sanskrit versions of the diamond sutra are given below. The diamond sutra is one of the most important sutras in chinese buddhism, and it has had a great influence on chinese culture. It is also sometimes called the diamond cutter sutra, or the vajra sutra. 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 is particularly prominent within the chan. The manuscript is spread over several shelfmarks, comprising iol.
The sanskrit alphabet sequence is known as the varnamala. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds. Jun 28, 2016 the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra and the vajra cutter sutra. Jun 15, 2017 a second recitation of the translation of the diamond sutra vajracchedikaprajnaparamita sutra by upasaka lu kuan yu charles luk, which has been published, along with commentary by 16th. The diamond sutra full text in translation, with commentary, provided by the buddha dharma education association, inc. 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 is particularly prominent within the chan or zen tradition, along with the h. Sep 27, 2018 the diamond sutra is one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism. Vajracchedik 20 may 2018 vajracchedik the diamond sutra parsing of sanskrit grammar, with literal chinese, english translations outline 1. The vajracchedika prajna paramita sutra the diamond sutra this is what i heard one time when the buddha was staying in the monastery in anathapindikas park in the jeta grove near shravasti with a community of 1,250 bhikshus, fully ordained monks. Full text of the diamond sutra chinkangching, or, prajna. 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. These readings were helped by the photography of new infrared images of the folios of the sanskrit diamond sutra manuscript, which was done in the idp digitisation studio at the british library.
This sutra a sanskrit word that means a religious teaching or sermon, in particular that of the buddha is commonly regarded as one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism. Upon a time buddha sojourned in anathapindikas park by shravasti with a great company of bhikshus, even twelve hundred and fifty. Legend has it that the sixth patriarch of zen, huineng, achieved enlightenment after hearing just one line of the diamond sutra in sanskrit vajracchedika sutra, literally diamond cutter sutra. 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. A literal reading of the chinese and sanskrit doesnt make it seem to be an explanation of the text at all, he says. Translated by tripitaka master hsuan tsang commentary by. The master lectured in mandarin, and upasaka wang kai translated into cantonese, making the cantonese people very happy.
Once the bhagavan was dwelling near shravasti at anathapindada garden in jeta forest together with the full assembly of 1250 bhikshus and a great many fearless bodhisattvas. Apr 05, 2017 the diamond sutra has been rendered into english many times over the last 40odd years. The buddha said this sutra may be known as the diamond that cuts through illusion. This finishes the first part of the diamond sutra as it is usually divided here and passes on to the second part. 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. Patanjali yoga sutras 3 introduction before going into the yoga aphorisms i will try to discuss one great question, upon which the whole theory of religion rests, for the yogis. The prajna paramita hrydaya sutra is the core of the maha prajna paramita in six hundred scrolls. This new translation of the diamond sutra allows the reader to experience and comprehend this timeless buddhist text in a more contemporary language and style. Text and commentaries translated from sanskrit and chinese.
The scholartranslator red pine bill portman disagrees. The diamond sutra is considered to be one of the most important and venerated of buddhist scriptures. In the history of printing, the diamond sutra has special prominence as the first dated printed work that is has been found this date being 11th may. Now the full title of the work in the original sanskrit its a sanskrit buddhist text is. Internet archive bookreader brahma sutra bhashya by adi shankaracharya sanskrit.
Also known by its sanskrit title vajracchedika, the diamond sutra posits that something is what it is only because of what it is not. It distills perfectly the teaching of nonattachment, which is the doctrine of emptiness. The text itself says that it can be considered to be the diamond that cuts through illusion and that understanding it will lead to the highest perfect wisdom. He uncovered his right shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, and as he joined his palms together he respectfully bowed and then addressed the buddha.
Diamond sutra in sanskrit tibetan characters post by randomseb. The diamond sutra in sanskrit and english translated from. 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. If i did, those who listen to it would lose their minds, cherish grave doubts, and not believe at all how beyond comprehension is the significance of this sutra and how also beyond comprehension the rewards are. Homage to the perfection of wisdom, the lovely, the holy. In this brilliant new translation and commentary on the diamond sutraone of the sublime wisdom teachings of mahayana buddhismmu soeng integrates this ancient wisdom teaching with current scientific and psychological thought. Like many buddhist sutras, the diamond sutra begins with the famous phrase, thus have i heard. The diamond sutra project gutenberg selfpublishing. Bhagavan sravastyam viharati sma jetavanenathapindadasyaarame mahata bhiksusamghena sarddham ardhatrayodasabhir. Transforming the way we perceive the world by mu soenq gick here for the reluctant messenger host site the diamond sutra the walled city of dunhuang shachou was an outpost on the northwestern frontier, whose. The diamond sutra is one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism. The title of the sutra in sanskrit is vajra cchedika prajna parmita sutra.
Jun 25, 2019 the sutra s title in sanskrit, vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra, could be very roughly translated as the diamond cutting perfection of wisdom sutra. The buddha speaks of the infinite life sutra of adornment, purity, equality and enlightenment of the mahayana school. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana buddhist. His clear and readable commentary traces the connections between these teachings and contemporary theories of quantum reality, explores the. The diamond sutra, along with the heart sutra also available translated by red pine, are arguably the two most popular works of the prajnaparamita group of sutras. Thich nhat hanh says the title means the diamond that cuts through afflictions, ignorance, illusion, or delusion. Because of these lectures many of them now understand the heart sutra. It is a record of the sayings of gautam the buddha as recalled by his chief disciple, ananda. One of the holiest and most popular of the mahayana buddhist scriptures, it belongs to a compilation of about 40 books known as the great perfection of transcendental wisdom. Sanskrit language, which the puranas describe as the language of gods, was from the sound of lord sivas damru, a percussion instrument which adorns lord siva. Indeed they are among the most popular sutras within the mahayana cannon as a whole. The sanskrit title of the diamond sutra translates as the perfection of wisdom which cuts like a thunderbolt. Jan 07, 2018 the diamond sutra vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is one of the prajnaparamita perfection of wisdom sutras of mahayana buddhism. Nov 18, 2002 the diamond sutra, along with the heart sutra also available translated by red pine, are arguably the two most popular works of the prajnaparamita group of sutras.
The text goes on in a similar strain through its remaining section. Brahma sutra bhashya by adi shankaracharya sanskrit. About the diamond sutra a new translation web site unabridged v 1. The perfection of wisdom counterpoint, by red pine, the pen name of bill porter, an american who dropped out of his graduate studies in anthropology to become a buddhist scholar and the acclaimed translator of. That is to say the diamond sutra is the expression, is an expression of the enlightened mind, it doesnt come from. Chapter 02 after a time a most venerable monk named subhuti, who was sitting in the congregation, rose from his seat. Diamond sutra in sanskrit tibetan characters post by randomseb wed mar 27, 20 2. Ram karan sharma on the diamond sutra in sanskrit and. May 09, 2015 the sanskrit diamond sutra in infrared the vajracchedika or diamond sutra is one of the most popular buddhist texts in east asia. The authors writing style is the model of clarity and he is aware of the postmodern debate.
Sanskrit alphabets origin from maheswara sutras mantra sastra. The diamond sutra, a sanskrit text translated into chinese, was one of 40,000 scrolls and documents hidden in the cave of a thousand buddhas, a secret library sealed up around the year 1,000. The diamond sutra 1 diamond sutra the full sanskrit title of this text is the vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra the vajra prajna paramita sutra. The date of its composition can be inferred to some extend from the chinese translations. One day before noon, the bhagavan put on his patched robe and picked up his bowl and entered the. The opening gatha was composed by thich nhat hanh to precede the translation.
In this post i have grouped excerpts from the diamond. The vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra has been translated from sanskrit into english variously as the diamond sutra, the diamond cutter sutra, the vajra sutra and the vajra cutter sutra. This sutra appears in thich nhat hanh, chanting from the heart. Diamond sutra in sanskrit tibetan characters dharma wheel. The heart sutra every day for nine days, yet the heart sutra itself was never mentioned. One day, at mealtime, the world honoured one put on his robe, took his bowl, and entered the great town of sravasti to beg for his food. It was designed to be readable, understandable, and not overly laden with flowery language or titles and terms. Diamond sutra, sanskrit vajraccedikasutra diamond cutter sutra, brief and very popular mahayana buddhist text widely used in east asia and perhaps the best known of the 18 smaller wisdom texts that together with their commentaries are known as the prajnaparamita perfection of wisdom. I own a number of copies of the diamond sutra but this is my favourite. Mahayana sutras, such as the lotus flower sutra and the flower adornment sutra, explain the way of becoming enlightened. The diamond sutra in sanskrit and english translated from the. The first class of the lecture series was recorded on 18 september 2005 in san francisco. Text and commentaries translated from sanskrit and chinese, washington, d. The diamond sutra is relatively short, only 6,000 words and is part of a larger canon of sutras or sacred texts in mahayana buddhism, the branch of buddhism most common in.
A study of some punctuation errors found in the taisho and. May 11, 2016 the diamond sutra, a sanskrit text translated into chinese, was one of 40,000 scrolls and documents hidden in the cave of a thousand buddhas, a secret library sealed up around the year 1,000. A general explanation of the vajra prajna paramita sutra by dhyana master. Diamond sutra is the expression, is an expression of the enlightened mind, it doesnt come from. In english a mere sixteen sentences, and a mere 262 characters in chinese, the heart sutra, as it is called in brief, is nothing less than a summation of the wisdom of the buddha. Pdf everything you need to know about the ancient diamond. It is called diamond sutra because the buddhas teachings within it are like a diamond that cuts away all delusion, reveals reality, and brings people to enlightenment. The sutras title in sanskrit, vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra, could be very roughly translated as the diamond cutting perfection of wisdom sutra. Once upon a time, the buddha sojourned in the jetavana park near sravasti with an assembly of twelve hundred and fifty bhiksus. However, of course, we will not fail to always refer to the other sanskrit editions and especially to pargiters critical edition 1916 of the dandan uiliq manuscript. To begin with the sutra is, by very definition, by virtue of the fact that it is termed a sutra it is the word of the buddha, what we call buddhavachana, the word or the utterance of the buddha, the enlightened one. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. This sutra a sanskrit word that means a religious teaching or sermon, in particular that of the buddha is commonly regarded as one of the most revered. From these 14 verses, a total of 281 pratyaharas can be formed.
A general explanation of the vajra prajna paramita sutra by dhyana master hsuan hua 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 diamond sutra prajnaparamita translated from the sanskrit by edward conze. The diamond sutra in sanskrit and english translated from the sanskrit by edward conze om namo bhagavatyai aryaprajnaparamitayai. A second recitation of the translation of the diamond sutra vajracchedikaprajnaparamita sutra by upasaka lu kuan yu charles luk, which. This alphabet sequence is at the same time a powerful mantra and the vibrations of its sound has healing powers. Aug 02, 2009 the diamond sutra is one of the most historically important texts in the buddhist faith, in part because a copy of it is the oldest surviving dated printed book in the world 868 a. The sutras title in sanskrit, vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra, could be very roughly translated as the diamondcutting perfection of wisdom sutra.