A central text of indian buddhism, the diamond sutra was first translated from sanskrit into chinese in about ad 400. Full text of the diamond sutra chinkangching, or, prajna. It is a favourite sutra among chinese buddhists, because it is quite easy to memorise and takes only 3040 minutes to chant in its entirety. Restoring the worlds oldest book, the diamond sutra. 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. U cal press, 2005 entitled be all you cant be, and other gainful losses in the diamond sutra. The frontispiece of the diamond sutra from tang dynasty china, the worlds earliest dated printed book, ad 868 british museum on may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important textbooks of buddhism, originally written in the 1st c. According to buddhist tradition, the buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries bce. Sutras are very important to buddhism, a religion that developed in what is now india and spread to china hundreds of years before the diamond sutra was printed in 868 ce. It was produced some 600 years before gutenbergs movable type printing in europe, and is clearly the product of a mature printing industry in china. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana sutra from the prajnaparamita sutras or perfection of wisdom genre. The worlds oldest copyleft book friday, may 11, 2012 at 2. This copy of the diamond sutra is the worlds earliest, dated, printed book ad 868. But printing the art of stamping inks onto paper to make books and.
This questionandanswer format between buddha and his disciple subuti reveals intricate and esoteric knowledge about the nature of life, personality, charity, self. The buddhist text known as the diamond sutra is believed to be the oldest surviving printed book in the world. 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. 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. I studied this book on and off for 6 months and i will continue to come back to it as being definitive on the subject. The diamond sutra is an ancient buddhist sermon that generation of buddhists have memorized and chanted since at least the fifth century. The extraordinary discovery of the worlds oldest book posted.
Few venture that the answer is a revered buddhist text called the diamond sutra, printed in 868 a. One of the key objects at the exhibition is a copy, dating to the year 868 ce, of the diamond sutra, a sacred mahayana buddhist text. It is an important buddhist text that has a long and profound history. Dec 05, 2010 restoring the world s oldest book, the diamond sutra. Paternal seductions in early mahayana buddhist literature berkeley. Best inspirational quotes about life quotation image. Few venture that the answer is a revered buddhist text call. A copy of the chinese version of diamond sutra, found among the dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th century by aurel stein, was dated back to may 11, 868. The oldest printed text in the world the diamond sutra. Chanting is an important spiritual practice in mahayana buddhism, and. Why are the heart sutra and the diamond sutra so popular with. A typical english translation contains about 6,000 words, and an average reader could finish it in less than 30 minutes, easily. Buddhism archives sanskriti hinduism and indian culture. This plum village chanting and recitation book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in liturgy and for everyone who just wants to.
Carved wooden blocks were used to print this copy on a scroll made from seven panels of paper. May 11, 2016 smart news keeping you current five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british. Diamond sutra, first printed book on 11 may 868 ce history. Today in history the diamond sutra, the world s oldest surviving, dated, printed, book printed by wang jie and made into a scroll. So, the lotus sutra begins by making a connection to a real place associated with the historical buddha. Buddha channel best buddhism videos for buddhist 2,441,295 views 26.
Restoring the worlds oldest book, the diamond sutra bbc. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds. This copy of the diamond sutra in chinese language, complete with a beautifully illustrated frontispiece, is the worlds earliest dated, printed book. Religious studies professor paul harrison talks about his current research, which includes working on a new translation of one of the oldest. Approximately 300,000 of these followers live in the united kingdom alone, however, the majority live in contemporary asia with the highest numbers in china, thailand, japan, myanmar, sri lanka, vietnam and cambodia.
Printed copy of the diamond sutra the british library. Apr 28, 2019 the lotus sutra begins, thus i have heard. Diamond sutra a new translation of the classic buddhist text. Vajracchedika prajnaparamita sutra is a mahayana buddhist. The diamond sutra is a teaching from the buddha himself. Copying and recitation of the diamond sutra was a widespread devotional practice, and. The diamond sutra goodreads meet your next favorite book.
The ancient sacred buddhist text the diamond sutra is recited in english in a tune reminiscent of buddhist chanting, sung by sharon kumuda janis, author of secrets of spiritual happiness and spirituality for dummies. What follows is a dialogue regarding the nature of perception. May 11, 2014 the frontispiece of the diamond sutra from tang dynasty china, the worlds earliest dated printed book, ad 868 british museum on may 11, 868, the earliest dated printed book was issued, a chinese copy of the socalled diamond sutra, one of the most important textbooks of buddhism, originally written in the 1st c. According to national library of peking in 1961, the diamond sutra is described as. The diamond sutra is the worlds earliest dated printed book. Commissioned by a man named wang jie on behalf of his parents, it is. Library and is acknowledged as the oldest dated printed book in existence. What the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest printed book, has. The story of the worlds earliest dated printed book. Though i continued to have contact with christianity, at least from time to time, henceforth i was in contact with it as a buddhist. The sutra, which meditates on the illusory nature of the material world the central theme of buddhism, was originally written in sanskrit in india, from which it was translated to chinese in 401 ad. 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 it is particularly prominent within the chan or zen tradition, along with the h.
The diamond sutra is the sutra on nonattachment or the perfection of wisdom. A copy of the chinese version of diamond sutra, found among the dunhuang manuscripts in the early 20th. It is a key object of devotion and study in zen buddhism. 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. Price translated into english around 50 pages of the diamond sutra republished by shambhala publishers, 1990. Byrd and copilot floyd bennett fly over the north pole on this. Worlds earliest complete surviving dated printed book. Ask people to name the worlds oldest printed book and the common reply is gutenbergs bible. 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. At one time the buddha stayed at anathapindaka s garden in the grove of jeta in the kingdom of sravasti. It is said that due to his mastery of lovingkindness metta meditation, any gift offered to him bore the greatest merit for the donor. The diamond sutra is one of the most revered texts of mahayana buddhism and a jewel of the world s religious literature. Reading them i realized that i was a buddhist, and always had been one. At one time the buddha stayed at anathapindakas garden in the grove of jeta in the kingdom of sravasti.
This copy is among the worlds earliest extant printed texts. The world s oldest copyleft book friday, may 11, 2012 at 2. Smart news keeping you current five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a. Rajagriha was a city on the site of presentday rajgir, in northeastern india, and gridhrakuta, or vultures peak, is nearby. Jun 25, 2019 the world s oldest dated book a complete woodblock printed scroll of the diamond sutra, dated 868 ce, was among several texts preserved in a sealed cave near dunhuang, in gansu province, china. Buddhism is a nontheistic religion that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to siddhartha gautama, who is commonly known as the buddha, meaning the awakened one. May 12, 2016 diamond sutra is now recognized as one of the worlds great literary jewels. This new book, the first to focus on the diamond sutra, describes the discovery of the sutra by sir aurel stein in may 1907 in a. In the sutra, the buddha has finished his daily walk with the monks to gather offerings of food, and he sits down to rest.
For dharma practitioners, the fact that the diamond sutra is the worlds oldest book should matter mostly to historians. The glorious bhagavad gita sung in english audiobook by. At the beginning of the 20th century, an abbot named wang yuanlu came to dunhuang area, discovered the sand covered stone grottoes, took up residence in one cave and began to clear out the others. Quotes of the day life quote daisaku ikeda is a buddhist philosopher, educator, author, and ikeda is a buddhist philosop. It was found in a holy site called the mogao or peerless caves or the caves of a thousand buddhas, which was a. Printed over 1100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the.
Conserving the diamond sutra, idpukvideo published on 31 jan 20. On may 11, 868, the oldest complete, printed and dated book to. That, of course, is putting it simply, as only buddhists can do. Until 23rd february 2020, the british library is exploring the. What the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest printed book.
Rajagriha was a city on the site of presentday rajgir, in northeastern india, and gridhrakuta, or vulture s peak, is nearby. The diamond sutra, like many buddhist sutras, begins with the famous phrase thus have i heard skt. 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 it is particularly prominent within the chan or zen tradition, along with the. For a close reading of the texts rhetoric, see chapter 4. Jan 15, 2017 the hear sutra and the diamond sutra illustrate the buddhist concept of emptiness and nonexistence, which is the key to taming our inner demons. At one time the buddha was in rajagriha, staying on mount gridhrakuta. The diamond sutra includes passages where the buddha states that chanting. Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest dated printed book printed over 1,100 years ago, a chinese copy of the diamond sutra at the british library is one of the most. The hear sutra and the diamond sutra illustrate the buddhist concept of emptiness and nonexistence, which is the key to taming our inner demons.
British library, 2010 isbn 9780712350907 van schaik 201112. The diamond sutra is the world s earliest dated printed book. With over 500 million followers, buddhism is one of the worlds major religions. In addition to the actual text of the diamond sutra this web site provides a diamond sutra background page which explains the origins of the diamond sutra and information about how this new translation was done. It was produced on the 11 may 868, according to the western calendar. The story of the world s earliest dated printed book. Today in history explorer richard byrd claims to have flown over the north pole according to their claims, polar explorer richard e. 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. Full text of the diamond sutra chin kang ching, or, prajnaparamita see other formats. It was produced some 600 years before gutenberg s movable type printing in europe, and is clearly the product of a mature printing industry in china.
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. The diamond sutra includes passages where the buddha states that chanting, or repeating aloud, even parts of the sutra would confer immeasurable merit, note wood and barnard. Here is one which has been posted on usenet, and then links to several others. Oct 10, 2012 d prajna paramita hrdaya sutram sanskrit. For a close reading of the text s rhetoric, see chapter 4. Today in history the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest surviving, dated, printed, book printed by wang jie and made into a scroll. This copy of the diamond sutra is the world s earliest, dated, printed book ad 868. The diamond sutra, the oldest printed text in the world. Elder subhuti comes forth and asks the buddha a question. Sep 12, 2012 for dharma practitioners, the fact that the diamond sutra is the worlds oldest book should matter mostly to historians.
Five things to know about the diamond sutra, the worlds oldest. Made in 868 ad and written in chinese, the text contains a significant dialogue on perception, and is one of the most important sacred works of the buddhist faith. If we go by what are the oldest writings of buddhas saying, i would say tripitaka. Also known by its sanskrit title vajracchedika, the diamond sutra posits that something is what it is only because of what it is not. Among the manuscripts was perhaps the oldest printed book actually a scroll in existence, the diamond sutra, dated 868. The mogao caves as cultural embassies harvard divinity. Prajna paramita heart sutra mantra with lyrics duration. Restoring the world s oldest book, the diamond sutra.
The very first printed book the diamond sutra scihi. In 1900 a chinese monk, abbot wang yuanlu, discovered the sealed door to the cave, and in 1907 a hungarianbritish explorer named marc aurel stein was. The worlds oldest dated book a complete woodblock printed scroll of the diamond sutra, dated 868 ce, was among several texts preserved in a sealed cave near dunhuang, in gansu province, china. Susan whitfield, the director of the international dunhuang project, took the audience on a journey of exploration of the many facets of the diamond sutra a sacred mahayana buddhist text, which dates from 868 and is the worlds oldest dated complete printed book. Why are the heart sutra and the diamond sutra so popular. Atrendtowardshortversions,whichincludestheheartand diamondsutras,occursinthefourthcenturyce. The diamond sutra project gutenberg selfpublishing. Found in cave 17, also known as the library cave, it was one of a cache of some 40,000 objects that were sealed up. But buddha had no interest in people following him blindly or strictly adhere to what he said. Hidden for centuries in a sealedup cave in northwest china, this copy of the diamond sutra is the worlds earliest complete survival of a dated printed book. Xuputi was one of the ten principal disciples of the buddha. The diamond sutra is one of the most influential mahayana sutras in east asia, and is a key object of devotion and study in zen buddhism. Background of the diamond sutra diamond sutra a new.
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