Diamond Sutra

A relatively brief MAHAYANA Buddhist writing. It became important for practicers of ZEN BUDDHISM as well as for other schools of BUDDHISM. The Diamond Sutra is one of a group of writings known as Prajna-paramita sutras, that is, "discourses concerned with perfect wisdom." Originally an Indian book written in Sanskrit, it was translated into Chinese around 400 C.E. The sutra records a conversation between the BUDDHA and Subhuti, one of his most advanced disciples. The two rapidly recount a series of bold paradoxes that encapsulate Buddhist wisdom. For example, the Buddha teaches Subhuti that if anyone suggests that the Buddha has taught anything, that person slanders the Buddha, because truth cannot be taught. The sutra also teaches that things that appear to us are transient, like objects in dreams.