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 called Diamond Sutra because the Buddha’s teachings within it are like a diamond that cuts away all delusion, reveals reality, and brings people to enlightenment.

The four core teachings are to give without clinging to any notion, to liberate all beings with no notion of self, to live without abiding, and to cultivate without attainment. The essential teachings of the Diamond Sutra are prajñā (wisdom) and emptiness.

The Sanskrit title of the Diamond Sutra is Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. But what do words like vajra, prajñā, and pāramitā mean? And how are we to understand and practice the teachings of Diamond Sutra?

The Diamond Sutra relates a series of questions and answers that take place between the Buddha and his disciples Subhūti, regarded as the Buddha’s foremost disciples in understanding emptiness. Their dialog expounds on the empty nature of prajñā, and asserts that “all phenomena lack an inherent self” and “all phenomena are transient.”

Once we thoroughly understand emptiness, this understanding will benefit us and allow us to be successful in whatever we do, in both worldly and spiritual pursuits.

This booklet contains the liturgy for daily recitation of the Diamond Sutra as well as for dharma services in Mahayana Buddhist monasteries. The Chinese text is accompanied by Hanyu Pinyin and English translation.

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