Product Description

"The Diamond Sutra" was composed in India in the 4th century C.E. and is one of the treasured books in a vast body of Buddhist literature called the "Perfection of Wisdon Sutras". It is known as such because its teachings are said to be like diamonds that cut away all dualistic thought, releasing one from the attachment to objects and bringing one to the further shore of enlightenment. "The Sutra of Hui Neng", also known as the "Platform Sutra", contains the autobiography of a pivotal figure in Zen history and some of the most profound passages of Zen literature. Hui Neng (638-713) was the sixth patriarch of Zen in China, but is often regarded as the true father of the Zen tradition. A poor, illiterate woodcutter, he is said to have attained enlightenment upon hearing a recitation of "The Diamond Sutra". He later became successor to the fifth patriarch, Hung Yen.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #973820 in Books
• Published on: 1969-12-31
• Original language: Mandarin Chinese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 168 pages

Customer Reviews

The Original Translation of Hui-Neng's sutra
I believe this was the original English translation (completed in the 1920's or 30's) of the Sutra of Hui-Neng, the 6th patriarch of Zen Buddhism. As such, it is a fine and sensitive effort and stands as a historical landmark in Zen's introduction to the West, but the translator was not a native English speaker, if I understand it correctly. To my taste at least, a better -- and more recent -- translation is that by Thomas Cleary.

An outstanding text for meditation on the illusion of self.
This book from the Zen tradition is the best meditation manual I have found for work on eradicating the illusion of self. I am happy to see it back in print. Modern science views the human body, mind, and persona as a dissipative system. See Capra, Fritjof. The Web of Life : A New Understanding of Living Systems. Anchor Books, 1997. The Diamond Sutra is the Buddha's eloquent instruction on this topic and this a simply wonderful translation.

dharma
Well...
Where to begin... I will try to be short and sweet?

I found it's poetic and subtle depth of wisdom and meanings
innureable. However, I did prefer The Sutra of Hui-Neng.
Which reminded me of the elegance of The Tao Te Ching.

For those who enjoy spiritual intellectualism.This is not for
you!! It has a boldness,effortless beauty and brings a
waterous harmony to mind.

It is one of my favorite sutra's....
Read it and allow it's beauty and wisdom to make it yours.