The word "sutra" in Sanskrit literally means "thread." Such a work can be an aphorism, a rule, a formula or a collection that is combined together with the help of a specific thought or topic. In a broad sense, the sutra refers to the text in Buddhism or Hinduism.
The well-known definition of the sutra from Indian literature describes it as a capacious, integral, comprehensive and substantial work with a clearly expressed thought, the understanding of which leads to perfect knowledge.
For centuries, sutras were transmitted only verbally, from teacher to student, and only after a long time were recorded on palm leaves, and subsequently released in books. The sutras known to us relate mainly to the scientific and philosophical treatises of Hinduism, such as Patanjali's “Yoga Sutras,” the fundamental text of classical yoga that became popular in the Western world several decades ago. A large number of such texts are canonical for Buddhism. It is traditionally believed that these are the words of the founder of this religion or its closest students. Due to the lack of unity between the numerous schools of this teaching, not all Buddha sutras are unanimously recognized as original works that convey the words of the Enlightened One.
ABOUT
“Vajrachchedika Prajnaparamita” deserves special attention, playing a crucial role in such a famous direction of Buddhism as Mahayana. Known as the Diamond Sutra, it is also considered the world's first printed book. This woodcut monument was created by Chinese craftsman Wang Chi and is an ancient scroll dated to 868.
Diamond Sutra
It is believed that the "Vajrachchedika Prajnaparamita" was composed in the first century AD. It early enough found wide distribution in Asian countries where Mahayana Buddhism was practiced. It is included in other Prajnaparamita sutras. Its full name can be translated as "Perfect wisdom, capable of breaking even a diamond" or "Cutting through the diamonds the perfection of wisdom."
The relatively long sutra is divided into 32 chapters, and its recitation takes about 45 minutes. The Diamond Sutra is a dialogue built on the questions of an experienced student named Subhuti and the answers of the Buddha himself. It is noteworthy that in this conversation the favorable effect of the work and its perception by future generations are mentioned.
Content
Like many canonical texts of Buddhism, the "Diamond Sutra" begins with the words: "So I heard." Enlightened, having completed his daily alms campaign with the monks, rests in the Jeta grove, while Elder Subhuti appears and asks him a question. Thus begins a dialogue on the nature of perception, where the Buddha mainly tries to help the questioner to free himself from prejudices and limited ideas about the essence of insight. Underscoring that forms, thoughts, and concepts are ultimately illusory, he teaches that through theoretical constructions it is impossible to achieve true awakening, and therefore they must ultimately be discarded. Throughout the sermon, Buddha reiterates that even the assimilation of one quatrain from this teaching is an unrivaled merit and can lead to enlightenment.